Centurion: Australia's weakened bowling attack has been taught a brutal lesson by South Africa's Quinton de Kock at Centurion.

The left-handed opener blasted a career-best 178 off just 113 deliveries at SuperSport Park to guide the Proteas to an emphatic six-wicket win in the series opening clash.

Set 295 for victory after Australia made 4-294 in their innings, de Kock was merciless on an Australian bowling attack missing big guns Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and James Faulkner.

The 23-year-old's innings is the highest score in an ODI between the two countries, surpassing Herschelle Gibbs' 175 in the remarkable match at the Wanderers in 2006.