India defeated the Rest of South Africa by 96 runs Saturday on the third day of their four-day warmup game played at Sedgars Park.

Set 321 for victory, Rest of South Africa was bowled out for 224. Paceman Zaheer Khan took three wickets for 36 runs, while Vikram Singh took 2-41 and Harbhajan Singh returned to form with 3-39.

Vaughan van Jaarsveld hit 66 and Justin Kemp 53 for the home side, but Van Jaarsveld was run out by some sharp work in the deep by Sree Sreesanth, and Kemp edged Khan to wicketkeeper Dhoni.

Earlier, India was bowled out for 142 in its second innings. Opening bowler Alfonso Thomas finished with 7-56 to stake a claim for consideration for the test series which starts in Johannesburg on Dec. 15.

Irfan Pathan followed his first innings score of 111 not out with an unbeaten 40, but his bowling was poor. He bowled only 8 overs in the match, taking one wicket in the first innings, but conceded 49 runs as he battled for line and length.

India scored 316-7 declared in its first innings and the home team 138.