AB de Villiers brutally dished out more punishment to the West Indies bowling attack as South Africa cruised to a crushing 257-run Cricket World Cup victory on a record-breaking day in Sydney.

The South Africa captain 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 on Friday as his side equalled the record for the biggest World Cup win.

De Villiers had not been feeling well the night before the game, but there were no signs that he was under the weather as he made a sensation 162 from only 66 balls - the fastest 150 in ODI cricket and the second-quickest World Cup century.

The 31-year-old's scintillating innings ensured the Proteas became only the second team to score over 400 in a World Cup match, as they responded to their defeat against India by racking up an astonishing total of 408.

Spinner Imran Tahir took 5-45 as West Indies could only muster 151 all out in reply after being left shell-shocked by De Villiers, who can now also lay claim to the second-fastest World Cup century - off only 52 balls.

Hashim Amla (65) and Faf du Plessis (62) put the Proteas on course for a challenging total after Quinton de Kock fell for only 12 when he picked out Andre Russell at point off Jason Holder.

Amla and Du Plessis were patient in a 127-run partnership for the second wicket before Chris Gayle (2-21) dismissed them both in the same over.

Rilee Rossouw turned the tide with a 39-ball 61 and De Villiers then took the game away from West Indies with his latest exhibition of fireworks - hitting eight sixes and 17 fours with some phenomenal strokes.

South Africa blasted 72 off the batting power-play and their last 20 overs yielded 261 runs, including 96 off the last five overs.

De Villiers took a particularly liking to Holder, plundered 34 runs off the 48th over from the Windies skipper and then 30 off the last. 

Gayle made the first World Cup double century against Zimbabwe earlier this week, but Kyle Abbott (2-37) bowled the left-hander for only three and a procession of wickets followed.

Abbott then dismissed Marlon Samuels for a duck before West Indies scored only one run for the loss of Jonathan Carter (10), Dwayne Smith (31) and Lendl Simmons to slump to 53-5.

Smith's dismissal came courtesy of a stunning catch from David Miller and South Africa were eager to wrap up victory in a hurry as Darren Sammy (5), Andre Russell (zero) and Denesh Ramdin (22) were sent on their way.

Holder (56) took out the frustration of being humiliated by De Villiers by unleashing a few lusty blows of his own before he was dismissed by Dale Steyn (1-24) and Morne Morkel (2-23) sealed a huge victory when he had Sulieman Benn (1) caught at slip.