Despite Buttler adding a useful 31 from 22, it was South African paceman Dane Paterson who dominated the finale of England's innings, taking four wickets for just eight runs in his last two overs.
"It's not an easy thing to do, but he showed great composure on a wicket which he made look a lot easier than it was".
Livingstone, who also dropped a catch on debut, was afforded a further opportunity here after a prolific winter with England Lions.
Paterson, who was twice on a hat-trick, led South Africa's attack with four for 32. De Villiers said: "It's my main dream to win a World Cup for South Africa, or to be part of it in one way or another".
The Proteas had made 174 for eight with JJ Smuts contributing 45 and skipper AB de Villiers striking 46 from 30 balls and England looked to set to chase down the total until Jason Roy's controversial dismissal triggered a batting order collapse.
'We are not going to pick and choose games, but we are going to make a final decision about what happens for the next few years.
"Given the rotation system we have it is a shame I have to miss out".
Joss Buttler captained the team today that was also represented by each of England's other series debutants: Mason Crane, Liam Livingstone and Tom Curran. "It's tough, but it's a call you have to make looking to the long term".
Malan's performance certainly bodes well for the future.
Modi, Trump seek rapport despite friction on trade, immigration
For us the concept of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" - the world is one family - are not just words. "This is our character", he added. He referred to the incident of Uzma Ahmad, a young Indian woman who said she was forced to marry a Pakistani man at gunpoint.
Stand-in England captain Jos Buttler: "Depth is huge if you are going to become a really good side. There is pressure on you when you come in and you feel like you need to perform to show your case, so that's a fantastic show of character for those guys".
The Middlesex big-hitter started as he meant to go on, powering 12 fours and two sixes in his outstanding 44-ball 78.
England limited overs captain Eoin Morgan insisted he had done the right thing for the team's "development" by dropping himself for the third Twenty20 global against South Africa at Cardiff on Sunday.
England's total, though, was decent on a pitch that was slowing up.
South Africa could only muster 162-7 in reply to lose by 19 runs as Chris Jordan claimed 3-31 and Surrey's Tom Curran, in only his second worldwide match, 2-22.
The Surrey fast bowler struck with his sixth delivery, Reeza Hendricks hitting him straight to mid-off in the second over. AB de Villiers won the toss and chose to bowl.
And when the unsafe Miller was caught behind down the legside by Buttler off Chris Jordan, the Proteas were 86 for five in the 12th over.
Mangaliso Mosehle did manage 36 off 22 balls, but South Africa's final tally of 162 proved to be well off the mark.
Comments