There was no AB de Villiers but JP Duminy did a fine job of consolidating de Kock's start by smashing 67 off 44 balls.
Quinton de Kock punished the Indian bowling with seven fours and two sixes in his 33-ball knock of 56 after South Africa opted to bat
In massive chase of 197, India lost Rohit Sharma early as Kyle Abbott trapped the left-hander in front of the stumps
Shikhar Dhawan led India's fight in chase with a splendid 53-ball 73.
Dale Steyn then sent Virat Kohli packing for just 1.
MS Dhoni brought the equation down to 14 off 6 balls and then 5 of 1 but the Indian skipper couldn't put the last ball away. Chris Morris eked out a four-run win for South Africa
Suresh Raina's 26-ball 41 ensured India stayed alive in the game till the very end.