South Africa beat India by three runs in the Super League stage of the Under-19 World Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Sunday.

India collapsed from 86 for 0 to 223 all out in a gripping climax to the first day/night match of the tournament.

It was India's first loss in the tournament. They now face an uphill struggle to qualify for the semi-finals of the Super League.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat and on a slow pitch India soon turned to their spinners. Fast bowlers Rudra Pratap Singh and Gaurav Dhiman bowled only 10 overs between them as four spinners each twirled a full quota of 10 overs.

As India raced through their overs, South Africa's batsmen struggled for rhythm with only Roelof van der Merwe breaking 50. A late run-a-ball 19 from Keagan Africa pushed South Africa's total to 226 for 5 from 50 overs.

India's reply started positively under the Bangabandhu lights, with openers Robin Uthappa and Shikhar Dhawan racing to 50 from 7.5 overs.

The tournament's top-scorer Dhawan already has two centuries under his belt and progressed effortlessly to 50. But when Uthappa was bowled by Waylain September for 25 it sparked a batting collapse.

Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina followed with only 12 runs added and when Dhawan was bowled by Vernon Philander with the score on 98 it sparked panic in the India camp.

Though they were well ahead of the run rate, two suicidal run-outs hampered India further and they were reeling at 161 for 8.

Abhishek Sharma and Praveen Gupta put on 27 for the ninth wicket and then last man Singh helped Sharma steer India within sight of a thrilling comeback.

But then with four runs required from the last 12 balls, a pinpoint yorker from Vincenzo Penazza breached Sharma's defences and shattered the stumps to give South Africa a three-run victory.

South Africa coach Russell Domingo explained that the match had followed a similar course to his side's gameplan.

"Before the match I thought that a score of around 230 would be enough and I was pleased with the way our boys batted," said Domingo.

"I was a bit concerned when India's batsmen got off to such a good start but our bowlers fought back well and I think we deserved the victory."

"I still think our players have more to show but after today's result I feel that we are capable of beating anybody."

His Indian counterpart Robin Singh berated his players for underachieving.

"It was a very disappointing performance," said Singh.

"I don't think we bowled particularly well, we fielded poorly and batted appallingly."

This was the first day/night match of the tournament. Tomorrow England take on New Zealand in another day/night match at the same venue in Super League Group 2.

The other match tomorrow sees Pakistan take on Zimbabwe at BKSP.