Unbeaten South Africa succumbed to the Dutch for a second time in less than 12 months as the Netherlands claimed another monumental upset over the Proteas at a World Cup.

Last November the Netherlands’ shock win in Adelaide dumped South Africa out of the T20 World Cup and on Tuesday they crashed to a 38-run defeat in the 50-over equivalent in Dharamshala.

It is good news for Australia and England – who face the Proteas in Mumbai on Saturday – as both countries have ground to make up after suffering two early defeats in the 10-team group stage.

South Africa squandered plenty of promising positions for a third straight victory, however.

The Dutch were on the ropes at 4 for 50, then 6 for 112 after being asked to bat first in a contest reduced to 43 overs apiece by rain, but captain Scott Edwards rescued them from number seven.

His unbeaten 78 from 69 balls was supplemented by crucial cameos from Roelof van der Merwe (29 from 19) and Aryan Dutt (23 not out off nine) as the Netherlands posted a healthy 8 for 245.

“Proud of the group. Putting in that performance and being able to play my part is nice,” player of the match Edwards said.

“When we came into the tournament we wanted to have a chance at playing semi-finals and if you want to do that you’ve got to beat teams.

Logan van Beek of celebrates the wicket of David Miller. (Photo by Darrian Traynor-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

“Obviously South Africa are probably one of the favourites the way they are playing, so it is a big win for us.”

In reply, Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock, who made centuries in the wins over Sri Lanka and Australia, started well but the pair, plus Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen, all departed within the space of 21 deliveries.

A position of 0 for 36 became 4 for 44 before Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller put on a run-a-ball 45 to steady the ship. However, Klaasen’s dismissal left all South Africa’s hopes resting on Miller. 

He was dropped on 23 in the deep but when Logan van Beek clipped the top of Miller’s off-stump, for 43, all South Africa’s hopes went with him.

Bas de Leede, who had put down the steepler from Miller, atoned by dismissing Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada. Then Van Beek snared Keshav Maharaj in the last over as South Africa were all out for 207.

It was a superb collective bowling effort as Van Beek took three for 60 while Van der Merwe and Paul van Meekeren each bagged two wickets as the Dutch celebrated a first ODI World Cup win since 2007.

Bavuma said South Africa let the Dutch side off the hook.

“At 112-6 we didn’t want to let them get over 200 and we definitely dropped the ball there,” Bavuma said.

“We’ll have to let the emotion seep in. There is no point trying to forget what happened.

“It will hurt and it should hurt. Tomorrow we’ll get back on the journey, our campaign is by no means over.”