From 2-0 up to a 3-2 defeat, England will certainly feel that they missed out on a confidence booster before the World Twenty20 next month. Who will be pleased with their performance, and who needs to head back to the nets? Here are the England player ratings from the 5th ODI in Cape Town.
Batsmen
Jason Roy (5): Another failure for the opening batsman, Roy was lucky not to be dismissed earlier as his running between the wicket looked uncertain aagain with Alex Hales. Roy eventually fell for just 8 runs, as he was trapped LBW by Imran Tahir. He was also far too sloppy in the field with a couple of errors.
Alex Hales (9): A more disciplined approach after scoring 50 before getting himself out in the 4th ODI, Hales played some excellent driven shots to make 112 from 128 balls in a very mature innings. He may have liked to have batted for a couple more overs to add to England's final total but will be delighted to end up as the series' highest run scorer. Hales also did his bit in the field by taking the catch of Roussouw at cover.
Joe Root (6): Will be disappointed to miss out on becoming the first ever England player to score centuries in three consecutive games, making 27 after getting a reprieve when he was dropped early on. A fifth consecutive 50 partnership with Hales built their bond further, before Root was out LBW to Tahir.
Eoin Morgan (5): Another disappointing day at the office for the captain, who got himself out for just two when he went fishing at a wider delivery from Wiese. He could not find a formula with his bowlers to take the wicket of AB de Villiers that was so desperately needed.
Jos Buttler (6): Dismissed by a gem of a delivery by Kagiso Rabada for a golden duck, as he was tricked into thinking he was going to be bowled a shorter delivery, thus finding himself on the back foot to a full delivery. He did take a catch and an excellent stumping to partly make up for his early dismissal.
All-rounders
Ben Stokes (6): Settled down after a shaky start with the bat, before walking round a straight delivery by Rabada when he had a foundation on 29. He took a catch at cover but was extremely wayward and expensive with the ball.
Moeen Ali (6): Another player who was beginning to settle into his game, but drove an ill-advised shot straight to Behardien at cover for just 12. He was economical with the ball and became the first spinner to dismiss Hashim Amla in test cricket.
Chris Woakes (4): With England struggling, he inexplicably flicked a shot off his legs straight to fine leg for a duck. Woakes had no luck with the ball either, proving to be poor and lacking a threat during his five overs in a bad day at the office for the all-rounder.
Bowlers
Adil Rashid (6): Like many who went before him, Rashid played an aerial shot when it was not required and Hales just needed someone to stay with him. It was a shot that he had got away with in the 4th ODI but was dismissed for just nine this time around. He took the wicket of Behardien but it was too little too late for England.
Stuart Broad (6): Came to the crease on the offensive and got himself out with an aerial shot on 13 after another poor batting performance from a man who would like to be considered an all-rounder. He was by far the most economical bowler in the England team but could not muster a wicket in his nine overs.
Reece Topley (8): Did not have any time to hang around at the crease again, scoring one not out. Topley looked industrious with the ball oncemore, dismissing the dangerous Quinton de Kock for just four when a straight delivery clipped off the inside edge to Buttler. He followed that delivery with a peach to knock over Faf Du Plessis to set up a hat-trick ball. The youngster could not reach the milestone but took the wicket of Roussouw just a couple of overs later as he tempted him into a drive to cover.