Jason Holder admitted his West Indies side had no answer to the "exceptional" AB de Villiers after the South Africa captain conjured up another sensational record-breaking innings at the Cricket World Cup on Friday.

The Proteas skipper blasted the fastest century in ODI cricket against the Windies only last month and he stole the show yet again with a devastating knock at the SCG, as his side equalled the record for the biggest Cricket World Cup win.

De Villiers smashed 162 from a paltry 66 deliveries - the fastest 150 in ODI cricket and the second-quickest World Cup century - as South Africa responded to their Pool B defeat to India by posting 408 to become only the second team to score over 400 in a World Cup match.

Imran Tahir took 5-45 as West Indies were skittled out for only 151 in reply and suffered a crushing 257-run defeat.

De Villiers took a particularly liking to Holder, plundering 34 runs off the 48th over from the Windies skipper before 30 off the last and the 23-year-old was full of praise for his counterpart.

He said: "AB played a very good innings today. I thought we were well in the game when he came to the crease, but he was his normal, exceptional self. Credit to him.

"I thought he played well and took the game away from us in the end."

Holder added: "He obviously scores around the ground. Whenever he gains momentum, he's difficult to stop. We tried to execute some yorkers and we just didn't land them.

"Having said that, he created room which most batsmen probably wouldn't have. I think we must give him credit. I mean, he's not in a sense an easy player to take down.

"In the stage when he came to the crease, whenever he came to the crease, they were well poised in a sense, but we still had the run rate (under control).

"The platform was basically set for him so he played his free innings, and unfortunately we didn't come up with answers today for him."

Victory for South Africa leaves them second in Pool B behind India, with West Indies in fourth after losing two and winning as many from their four matches.