Indore, Oct 12 (IANS): South Africa were fined on Monday for maintaining a slow over-rate during their victory in the opening game of the One-Day International (ODI) series against India at Kanpur.

Match referee Chris Broad imposed the fine after AB de Villiers’ side was ruled to be two overs short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration. De Villiers was fined 40 per cent of his match fee, while his players received 20 per cent fines.

South Africa beat India by five runs in the first ODI. They play next on Wednesday at Indore.

"In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount," an International Cricket Council (ICC) statement said.

"The Proteas captain had previously been found guilty of minor over-rate offences on two occasions in the past 12 months (in Perth in November 2014 and during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015), and served a one-match suspension during the first ODI against Bangladesh in July."

"Consequently, the note in 4.2 of Appendix 2 of the Code now applies and this is deemed to be a first offence for the purpose of penalty. If South Africa commits another minor over rate breach in ODIs within 12 months of this offence with de Villiers as captain, it will be deemed a second offence by de Villiers and he will again face a suspension," it added.

ICC said de Villiers pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so no formal hearing was required.