Canada have recorded a second loss at the Under-19 World Cup, but emerged with some credit after a battling performance against South Africa in Abu Dhabi today.

Batting first after losing the toss, South Africa lost their first wicket with just six runs on the board. They followed this with a 58 run partnership between Aiden Markram and Kirwin Christoffels for the second wicket.

After Markram was out for 31, Christoffels was eventually fourth out, having scored 57. Yaseen Valli and Bradley Dial then put on 102 for the fifth wicket, with Dial the next man out for 47. Valli finished the innings unbeaten on 102, scored from just 92 balls.

South Africa's final total was 293-6, with Nikhil Dutta the pick of the Canadian bowlers with 3-54.

Canada's reply started well with the opening pair of Sudeepta Aurka and Yug Rao putting on 51 before Rao was out for 23 after 11 overs. Aurka then shared in a 101 partnership for the second wicket with captain Nitesh Kumar that briefly gave Canada hope of an upset.

That partnership ended when Aurka was caught behind having scored 69, and the wicket of Nitesh Kumar - who scored 53 - soon afterwards put Canada on the backfoot.

The Canadians held on and batted out their 50 overs though, scoring 248-8 to lose by 45 runs. Yaseen Valli completed a fine all-round performance by taking 4-43.

Canada's next match will be against the West Indies on Tuesday, and they will need a big win if they are to have any hopes of reaching the quarter finals. South Africa's next game is also on Tuesday, when they will play Zimbabwe.