Stand-in wicketkeeper Morne van Wyk hit a maiden international century to set up a 69-run consolation win for South Africa in the third and final Twenty20 international against the West Indies at Kingsmead, Durban, on Wednesday.
Van Wyk, 35, who was recalled to the South African team because of an injury to Quinton de Kock, scored 114 not out off 70 balls with seven sixes and nine fours.
South Africa made 195 for three after being sent in.
The West Indies, who had already clinched the series by winning the first two matches, were bowled out for 126 in 19 overs.
With the West Indies holding an unassailable lead in the series, both sides made several change
Notable absentees were West Indian Chris Gayle, man of the match in the first two games, because of a back injury and South African captain Faf du Plessis, who was being rested ahead of a one-day series.
Big-hitting David Miller was also missing because of back spasms.
Chasing a challenging target on a pitch which offered more to the bowlers than at the Wanderers when they succeeded with a world record run chase, the West Indies succumbed to a series of over-ambitious shots.
Lendl Simmons, in his only match of the series, hit 49 off 31 balls but the next highest score was Kieron Pollard’s 20 not out.
Medium-pacer David Wiese, mixing up his pace and lengths shrewdly, took five for 23.
West Indian captain Darren Sammy said he was delighted with the attitude of the players during the series.
“I commend the way the boys played this series. Today we wanted to win but we’ll take a series win,” said Sammy.
Justin Ontong, who took over as South African captain for de Plessis, said the players had been determined to prevent a whitewash.
“We wanted it more. We let ourselves down in the first two games. We were hungry tonight,” said OIntong.
Van Wyk was named man of the match and Gayle, who hit 77 off 31 balls and 90 off 41 balls in the first two matches, was named man of the series.