South Africa won the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes with a six off the ball ball to edge out the hosts in a thrilling final on Sunday.

Hong Kong had beaten South Africa twice in the tournament before the final - first in the Southern Hemisphere group on Saturday and again during the round-robin phase of the Cup competition on Sunday.

But the final was to produce a different outcome.

The hosts set a target of 98 in the final and looked on course for a maiden win at the tournament with South Africa needing five runs from the last ball to claim victory.

But Farhaan Behardien rattled off a six from Mark Wright's delivery to secure a two-wicket win and South Africa's third victory at the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.

"What a way for a final to finish," said captain David Jacobs. "I am very proud of the boys, we are a proud nation and it is what we live for, to play finals.

"It is my first time here. We played them (Hong Kong) in the first game here and we got smashed, then we played them a second time today and we got beaten again.

"They probably deserved to win as they were the best side but this is finals, it doesn't always work out.

"But they were probably the best side of the tournament."

England, last year's winners, failed to build upon their promising displays on Saturday as they finished fourth.

After claiming top spot in the Northern Hemisphere group with two wins from three on Saturday, England made a bad start to Sunday's action as they lost skipper Chris Read to an ankle injury against Hong Kong before the hosts went on to win by six wickets.

South Africa then staged a successful run chase as they scored 103 for three to defeat England by three wickets before Read's side lost again to Sri Lanka in their final game.

"To lose the three games today was very disappointing after a great start yesterday," Essex's Graham Napier said.

"We thought we were going to be in a good position to push for the final but we got off to a bad start against Hong Kong, who have been the surprise of the tournament.

"You have to give them credit, they have been unbeaten going into the final and deserved it, they played the best cricket in the tournament."

New Zealand won the Plate final by defeating Australia by five wickets while Pakistan finished seventh, with India - who boasted Anil Kumble in their side - eighth having won just one game.