South Africa wins 3rd test by 8 wickets

CAPE TOWN: Dean Elgar’s unbeaten half-century quashed any potential last-day intrigue as South Africa completed an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the third test at Newlands.
The host went into the final day on 9-1, needing a further 115 runs for victory, and achieved its target in an extended morning session as Elgar scored 60 not out.
Faf du Plessis was the only batsman to fall on the day as he was caught for 14 off the spin of Sulieman Benn, before captain Hashim Amla scored 38 not out to accompany Elgar to the end.
The result took South Africa to a 2-0 series win, and ensured that it retained both the Sir Vivian Richards Trophy as well as its No. 1 ranking in test cricket.
With the West Indies bowlers showing exemplary discipline at the start of the day, the first runs did not arrive until the seventh over when Elgar pulled Jerome Taylor over midwicket for four.
That appeared to settle the nerves of the home side, and the scoreboard began to tick over more regularly, with Elgar particularly prolific with the pull shot off the seamers.
By the time Benn found the shoulder of Du Plessis’ bat to make the breakthrough, South Africa had 51 runs on the board and any thoughts of an unlikely upset had evaporated.
Elgar survived a dropped catch on 45 when he pulled fast bowler Shannon Gabriel out to deep midwicket and Kraigg Brathwaite put down a one-handed chance, and then went to his third test fifty two balls later.
Both Elgar and Amla became more adventurous once the target was within reach and began to find the boundary regularly, which allowed them to finish the game off before lunch.