Markram, who brought up his half-century off just 27 balls, struck seven fours and four sixes and shared a 95-run opening stand with Quinton de Kock (47 off 24). After Roston Chase removed De Kock in the eighth over, Ryan Rickelton added a brisk 45 not out off 28 to complete the chase, with Markram sealing victory with his 11th boundary.

Earlier, South Africa appeared set for a much smaller target after reducing West Indies to 83-7, having taken four wickets in the powerplay through Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. But Romario Shepherd (52* off 37) and Jason Holder (49 off 31) revived the innings with an 89-run eighth-wicket stand, adding 58 in the final five overs to push the total beyond 170, a score that ultimately proved insufficient.