A brisk maiden ODI century from Sanju Samson, followed up with a disciplined effort from the bowlers took India to a 2-1 series win in Paarl.
South Africa elected to chase for the second time in two games. Nandre Burger, the most recent Rajasthan Royals recruit, drew first blood for the Proteas after dismissing debutant opener Rajat Patidar. And Sai Sudharsan was the next to go when Beuran Hendricks trapped him in front.
Samson and Rahul added 52 runs between them, but an unlucky dismissal for the Indian skipper brought SA a wicket against the run of play. However, from then onwards, Tilak Varma provided solid company for Samson.
Varma was relatively slower off the blocks, but Samson gradually shifted gears against the pacers. Samson superbly batted through much of the rest of the innings and reached his first ODI ton in the process. Varma brought up 50 before he swept straight to deep square leg.
Rinku Singh provided the usual late kick to the innings, and even though a few more wickets fell at the back end, India ended up just a shade under 300 at halftime.
Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi started positively, but it was the away swing from Arshdeep that got the better of the former. Hendricks edged behind, and Rassie van der Dussen fell cheaply after a troubled, short stay at the crease.
It was another fruitful day for de Zorzi, who brought up another half-century. Aiden Markram helped add 65 runs, but an attempted reverse-paddle brought about his downfall.
When de Zorzi was trapped LBW, India were back in pole position. Heinrich Klaasen briefly threatened, but an athletic catch from Sai Sudharsan at mid-off ended his knock. It was all on David Miller to bring the hosts back into the contest, but his dismissal all but sealed the fate.
Arshdeep was the pick of the pacers with 4 wickets, but the spinners applied the brakes during the middle phase of the chase. Avesh Khan helped mop up the tail, securing a respectable series victory for the new-look Indian team.
IND 296/8 in 50 overs (Samson 108, Varma 52 – B Hendricks 9-0-63-3)
SA 218 in 45.5 overs (de Zorzi 81 – Arshdeep 9-1-30-4)