Heavyweight contender for world best, South Africa today defeated associate member UAE by an overwhelming 146 runs in the World Cup 2015 match at Wellington today.

For UAE, the fight was never really on, but they can console themselves on the satisfaction of batting out most of the 50 overs and taking their fight to as far as they could.

Put to bat first, South Africa had a slow start coupled with hiccups of losing three wickets struggling against the lack of pace from UAE bowlers before AB de Villiers came to rescue.

After an uncharacteristic slow fifty, AB de Villiers might have missed out a hundred by a run short, he gave South Africa what they needed – a solid build that took them to 341.

Farhaan Behardien flared at the depth, hitting 64 in 31 balls, to chip most in the 100 runs scored in the final 10 overs to loft South Africa.

Mohammad Naveed ended up peak of UAE bowlers with three wickets. Kamran Shazad, Amjad Javed and Mohammad Tauquir took one wicket apiece.

In chase, UAE had appeared to have a solid and confident start before Morne Morkel spearheaded into their batting lineup with pace and bounce.

The only defensive resistance was offered from Swapnil Patil, 57 not out. In form batsman Shaiman Anwar, 39, made a brief fight at the crease.

Morne Morkel, AB de Villiers, and Vernon Philander took three wickets apiece for the Proteas while Dale Steyn, JP Duminy and Imran Tahir took one for each.

AB de Villiers was made man of the match.

South Africa Team

Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Rilee Rossouw, AB de Villiers (C), David Miller, JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir

UAE Team

Amjad Ai, Andri Berenger, Khurram Khan, Shaiman Anwar, Swapnil Patel, Saqlain Haider (wk), Amjad Javed, Mohammad Naveed, Mohammad Tauqir (C), Fahad Alhashmi, Kamran Shazad