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South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs created World Cup history when he smashed six sixes in an over to put the Netherlands to the sword in their Group A match on Friday.

On a record-breaking day for the South Africans when they crushed the Dutch by 221 runs, Gibbs became the first player to pile up 36 runs in a one-day international over as he tormented leg spinner Daan van Bunge. After hammering Van Bunge back over his head four times and over the ropes on the on-side twice, he also became the third man ever to achieve the feat in major matches.

India's Ravi Shastri and West Indian Garfield Sobers had achieved the record in first class cricket.

Gibbs's heroics completely overshadowed the fastest half-century scored in the World Cup by Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis's century as South Africa racked up 353 for three in a match reduced to 40 overs-a-side after overnight rain delayed the start of the match.

South Africa surged to their biggest one-day victory by restricting the Netherlands to a total of 132 for nine.

Kallis scored a measured 128 not out, Gibbs made a whirlwind 72, Graeme Smith added 67, and Boucher was 75 not out after reaching his half-century off a record 21 deliveries.

The South Africans also hoisted an unprecedented 18 sixes in a one-day international. The previous record of 16 was jointly held by Australia and New Zealand. 

Gibbs launched Van Bunge's first delivery of the 30th over high over long-on, and followed that blow with strikes over long-off, twice, a six over mid-wicket, and another pair of mighty hits over long-off.

PYROTECHNIC INNINGS

Gibbs's pyrotechnic innings was ended five balls later when he holed out to a catch on the long-on boundary off a ball from Dutch captain Luuk van Troost. Ironically it was van Bunge who took the catch to end the thrilling innings.

He faced just 40 balls, and hit four fours and seven sixes in all.

The Dutch tasted success with just the second ball of the match when AB de Villiers played a flatfooted cut to a delivery from medium pacer Billy Stelling and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Jeroen Smits without a run on the board.

South Africa's heavyweight batting line-up soon clicked into gear, and all three of their subsequent partnerships reached three figures.

Kallis featured in all three stands, and he hit Van Troost for six with each of the last three balls of the innings.

In reply, the Dutch seemed intent only on occupying the crease for their full quota of overs.

Alexei Kervezee stood firm for 52 balls for his 17, while Ryan ten Doeschate top-scored with a polished 57.

Most of the South Africans returned impressive bowling figures, but medium pacer Shaun Pollock's effort of one for four from six overs stood out.

The Netherlands will be braced for another tough match when they take on Australia on Sunday.

South Africa are next in action against Scotland on Tuesday.