Ryan Rickelton's maiden ODI century led South Africa to a dominant 107-run victory over Afghanistan in their Champions Trophy opener on Friday.

South Africa started on the front foot with the bat and refused to let up the pressure as Afghanistan chased a target of 316, skittling their opponents with 39 balls left.

Afghanistan started well enough – Tony de Zorzi was dismissed for 11 by Mohammad Nabi (2-51) early in the sixth over. However, as Rickelton (103) found his groove, he and Temba Bavuma (58) posted a second-wicket partnership of 129 runs before Nabi stepped up once more to dismiss the latter.

Rickelton was eventually run out by Rashid Khan in the 36th over, having helped South Africa to 201. His exit was a welcome relief to Afghanistan, but after stringing together some tight overs, there was still more damage to come.

Rassie van der Dussen (52) and Aiden Markram, who finished with an unbeaten 52 having scored South Africa's fastest Champions Trophy half-century (33 balls), ensured they were out of sight, finishing their innings at 315-6.

Clinical South Africa breeze past Afghanistan with a neat all-round show #ChampionsTrophy #AFGvSA : https://t.co/AixKlxVlha pic.twitter.com/ClRyPwAH5v

— ICC (@ICC) February 21, 2025

Afghanistan's struggles carried over into the chase with South Africa buoyed, having claimed a big scalp by dropping Rahmanullah Gurbaz for just 10 after 3.2 overs.

Ibrahim Zadran (17), Sediqullah Atal (16) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (0) followed not long after, all in the space of five overs, though Rahmat Shah (90) provided some stability.

Nobody else hit the 20-run mark for Afghanistan, though, and while Rahmat struck four fours late on, he was bowled by Kagiso Rabada (3-36), ensuring Afghanistan finished well short of their target, all out for 208.

Data Debrief: Hitting the ground running

Rickelton ran the show from the off, making his mark on the 50-over format as he became the first South Africa batter to score a century on his Champions Trophy debut.

But he was not the only one that stepped up to the plate. Having struggled away from home in ODIs before now, Bavuma scored just his second fifty-plus score on his travels.

The Proteas had only won one of their last five games in the Champions Trophy (T1 L3) before Friday, but they ensured their losing run did not extend to a third game.

They were helped by a sluggish showing from Afghanistan. Despite knowing they had a mammoth total to chase, they made a slow start, hitting 16 false shots in the first 10 overs, compared to South Africa's five in their power play.