SYDNEY: World Cup favourites South Africa inflicted a whopping 257-run defeat on the West Indies after smashing 408, the second-highest World Cup total of all time, on Friday.

AB de Villiers hit an unbeaten 162 and Imran Tahir picked up five wickets in South Africa's win.

De Villiers reached his hundred off 52 balls, the second fastest World Cup century behind Ireland's Kevin O'Brien, who took 50 balls to reach the landmark against England at Bangalore in 2011.

South Africa's 408 for five was the second-highest World Cup total, only behind India's 413 for five against Bermuda at Trinidad in 2007.

Their margin of victory equalled the World Cup record, in terms of runs, set by India in that 2007 match.

“It was a very enjoyable knock today. The foundation from the boys at the start freed me up,” said de Villiers.

“I had a bit of luck here and there. I'm not a huge fan of setting targets but we had plans in place of reaching 300 halfway through the innings.

“This game is only half way and the only thing on my mind is winning it. We want to go and defend this total now.”

Friday's innings was the second time in as many months that de Villiers had hammered the West Indies' attack after smashing the quickest all-time one-day international century, off just 31 balls, against them in Johannesburg on January 18.

De Villiers' unbeaten 162 off 62 balls were complimented by half-centuries from Hashim Amla (65), Faf du Plessis (62) and Rilee Rossouw (61) to take South Africa stage a mammoth 408 at loss of five wickets.

Comprehensively hammered by South African batsmen, only Chris Gayle (two), Andre Russell (two) and captain Jason Holder (one) managed to provide West Indies with breakthroughs.