Images: South Africa show class with Dutch rout

South African openers -- Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla -- found boundaries were not easy to come by against the disciplined Dutch bowlers backed by their agile fielders and laboured to the 50-run mark in the 13th over.

Smith soon lost his leg stump to Bernard Loots while Ryan ten Doeschate removed Jacques Kallis (2) cheaply.

South Africa crushed the Netherlands by 231 runs in a lop-sided Group B match to record their second successive victory.

Photographs: Getty Images

Amla and AB de Villiers joined hands to stem the rot.

While Amla was content nudging the ball around, de Villiers started positively and looked to hit boundaries at every opportunity.

Amla celebrates after completing his century.

Having struggled to find his rhythm earlier, Amla survived a few scares before settling down to bring up his eighth century in ODIs.

He made 113 from 130 balls before he became Doeschate's second victim of the innings.

Amla was involved in a marathon 221-run third wicket stand with AB de Villiers as the duo put their team in control.

AB de Villiers raises his bat after completing his century.

De Villiers was more fluent in his brisk 98-ball innings that included 13 fours and four sixes, including three in a row off Loots, before he ran himself out in the 46th over.

Some late lusty hitting from JP Duminy (40), including four sixes off 15 balls, gave a late flourish to help South Africa post a mammoth 351 for five in their 50 overs.

South Africa showed the same business-like approach when they returned to defend the total, removing the Dutch top half by the time they reached the 100-mark.

Only Wesley Barresi (44) provided some resistance with the bat while only four of his Dutch team-mates managed double digit scores.

If Ireland's sensational victory against England on Wednesday had rekindled Dutch hopes of pulling off a similar upset, South Africa mercilessly crushed it.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir continued his good run with the ball as he took three for 19 in 6.5 overs, while left-arm spinner Peterson took two for 22 as the Netherlands folded up for 120 in 34.5 overs.

"It's still early doors but it's nice to get wins under the belt and keep the confidence going for later on in the tournament," South African spinner Robin Peterson said.

"Every game has its different challenges, today it wasn't easy for the batters out there but they showed that once they got stuck in they could churn out a good total."