South Africa were reeling at 44-4 in the second semi-final of the 50-overs cricket World Cup against Australia when light rain stopped play at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday.
Temba Bavuma's decision to bat first backfired as South Africa's top order was blown away by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood who claimed two wickets apiece.
Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, both batting on 10, have a huge rebuilding job ahead of them when play resumes.
Bavuma had earlier elected to bat in overcast conditions and made a four-ball duck in the first over in what was a dream start for five-time champions Australia.
Australia bowled with exemplary discipline and amped up the pressure with their electric fielding, best illustrated when Pat Cummins back-pedalled and took a tumbling catch to dismiss opener Quinton de Kock in the sixth over.
India beat New Zealand in the first semi-final on Wednesday to book their place in Sunday's final in Ahmedabad.
Al Ain crushed 10-man Yokohama F Marinos 5-1 in the second leg of the Asian Champions League final on Saturday to register a 6-3 aggregate win and their first continental title in 21 years.
Fourteen-time French Open champion Rafa Nadal said there was still a chance this year's tournament in Paris may not be his last in comments ahead of his tough opener against fourth seed Alexander Zverev.
Outgoing Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said he was proud of his achievements with the club and was looking forward to being a fan again as he prepares to coach his final game against Sevilla.
World number one Novak Djokovic does not consider himself a favourite ahead of his title defence at the French Open, which begins with a first-round match against local hope Pierre-Hugues Herbert on Sunday.