East London (South Africa), Feb 27: South Africa showed unconvincing form as they secured a 118-run win over Canada in the World Cup match at Buffalo Park today. Boeta Dippenaar made 80 as he steered South Africa to a respectable total of 254 for eight but the host nation failed to bowl out the Canadians, who made 136 for five in reply. Ishwar Maraj, 32, a left-handed opening batsman, played the slowest innings of the World Cup as he battled his way to an unbeaten 53 off 155 balls, surviving four of the five catches put down by South Africa. Allan Donald, South Africa`s veteran fast bowler, was unable to make an emphatic statement about his readiness for a crunch game against Sri Lanka in Durban on Monday as he failed to take a wicket. But he had a catch dropped off his first ball when Ian Billcliff slashed a short delivery to Herschelle Gibbs at backward point.
Like the rest of the South Abowlers, Donald was economical, conceding only 27 runs in ten overs. South Africa have to beat Sri Lanka in their final group match to reach the Super Six stage.
Monde Zondeki, the 20-year-old challenging for Donald`s place, took one for 24 in nine overs.
South Africa crashed to 23 for three after being sent in, losing their three leading batsmen, Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis in the space of three overs.
Canadian opening bowler Ashish Patel, playing in his first one-day international after being overlooked for Canada`s first four matches, and veteran Davis Joseph, both gained awkward movement in the early overs.

Bureau Report