South Africa suffered a 3-0 whitewash in their T20I series against England after losing the third match at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat, and an unbroken partnership between Rassie van der Dussen and Faf du Plessis gave them hope of avoiding defeat.

The efforts of both players saw them set a South African record 4th-wicket partnership of 127 as the hosts finished on 191/3 setting the visitors a target of 192 to win.

Van der Dussen recorded his highest score in T20Is with an unbeaten 74, off just 32 balls, while du Plessis registered an unbeaten 52.

Given England's good form, the statistics made for interesting reading as no team had previously scored 190 while batting second at the Cape Town ground. Meanwhile, the hosts had suffered five defeats in seven T20Is dating back to 2016.

However, a world-record partnership between Dawid Malan and Joss Buttler saw England chase down South Africa's total with ease and clinch the game with 14 balls to spare.

Malan (99 not out) and Buttler (67 not out) set an unbeaten 167-run partnership off less than 100 deliveries.

As a result, England overhauled Australia at the top of the ICC rankings.

Malan was named Player of the Match, for the second time in the series, and Player of the Series. Following the game, Malan saw himself attain the highest-ever rating points in the latest ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings (915).

South Africa will play England next in a One-Day International series on December 4, 6 and 9.

(With input from International Cricket Council)