Bailey's boys stun star-studded SA

South Africa's cricketers insist there's no need to panic despite being beaten by four wickets by a Prime Minister's XI side that had just three players with international experience.

Just five days out from the opening Gillette ODI against Australia and in their only warm-up game, the Proteas were knocked over for just 173 and beaten inside 37 overs in Canberra.

Most concerning for South Africa will be the fact they played close to what's expected to be the side they’ll field against the Aussie on Sunday in the first match of the three-game series.

The visitors lost two wickets in the first over of the day to Jason Behrendorff (3-35) and never really recovered.

Behrendorff's first scalp, Quinton de Kock, fell for a first-ball duck as did Farhaan Behardien, while first drop Reeze Hendricks lasted just one ball longer for his zero.

Opener Aiden Markram fought hard for 47, allrounder David Miller hit 45 and quick bowler Kagiso Rabada finished 28 not out, but they were the only members of the visitors' side to go past 20.

PM's XI leg-spinner Usman Qadir claimed 3-28, the son of former Pakistani spinner Abdul Qadir bagging two of them with wrong'uns as he wrapped up the innings in the 42nd over.

The score was the lowest in a completed innings in a 50-over match against a PM's XI in 12 years, while South Africa became the first visiting team to lose the fixture since 2013.

"It's a good gauge for guys to see how much work needs to be done going into the first ODI," Markram said.

"A lot of positives we can take from tonight and a lot of question marks that need answering as well.

"I think naturally an international ODI series against Australia will lift the intensity levels, excitement levels and generally that brings out the performances."

Josh Phillipe was the PM's XI's best performer with the bat, hitting 57 from 53 balls in a knock that included a pull shot from Rabada for six and eight other boundaries.

Rabada (2-41) finally had him caught hooking at fine leg, but the South African quick should have claimed two other wickets that were denied by no-balls.

Dale Steyn also had the ball hooping but was unlucky as he went for 1-41 from his seven overs as skipper George Bailey (51 not out) and Jason Sangha (38) guided the PM's side to victory and their first since three prime ministers ago.

"I think they surprised themselves and a lot of people," coach Chris Rogers said.

"Leading into the game I actually had a thought we could surprise South Africa knowing they might be rusty and a lot of our players were coming off some pretty good performances."

South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis (c), David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Dwaine Pretorius, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir.

Prime Minister's XI: Max Bryant, Jack Edwards, Josh Philippe, Kurtis Patterson, George Bailey (c), Sam Heazlett, Jason Sangha, Jason Behrendorff, Ben Dwarshuis, Blake Edwards, Usman Qadir.

Australia v Proteas, Gillette ODI series, November 2018

First ODI: Perth Stadium, November 4

Second ODI: Adelaide Oval, November 9

Third ODI: Blundstone Arena, Hobart, November 11

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, D'Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn.