All Round Show Helps SA Wrap up T20 Series 2-0

South Africa were saved by the brutal contribution of Roelof van der Merwe in the twilight overs.

Centurion: The South Africans continue to dominate the limited-overs formats. Having usurped Australia for top place in the 50-over rankings last year, South Africa now head to the World Twenty20 brimming with confidence after a second consecutive 20-over victory over Ricky Ponting's men, this time by 17 runs.

Van der Merwe hit 48 off 30 balls as South Africa struggled to 156 for five after being sent in.

Then Botha produced a miserly spell of off-spin bowling, taking two for 16 in four overs, as Australia were restricted to 139 for eight.

Van der Merwe, selected mainly as a slow left-arm bowler, was surprisingly sent in at number five and initially he struggled to find his timing.

The Australians seldom appeared comfortable in pursuit of South Africa's 156 for 5 on a pitch that troubled batsmen from both sides of the Indian Ocean.

Chasing target 157, Australia made a good start, with Michael Clarke and David Warner putting on 37 for the first wicket.

But Warner was bowled by Albie Morkel and one run later Australian captain Ricky Ponting was caught behind off left-arm pace bowler Yusuf Abdulla, a second new player in the South African line-up.

Clarke and David Hussey put on 25 for the third wicket before the game changed dramatically when Clarke was bowled by Botha and Callum Ferguson was run out first ball.

Brief Score: South Africa 156/5 (van der Merwe 48, Peterson 34, Harwood 2-21) beat Australia 139/8 (Hussey 27, Clarke 27, Botha 2-16) by 17 runs.