Shaun Pollock took four wickets as South Africa denied West Indies a face-saving draw on a rain-hit final day of the fourth Test on Tuesday.

Resuming on 263 for three having followed on 303 runs behind South Africa's first innings of 604 for six declared, the West Indies crumbled to 348 all out as Pollock claimed four for 69.

Not even a series of rain interruptions could save West Indies as South Africa knocked off the 46-run victory target in a whirlwind 3.4 overs.

The West Indies began the morning session with a draw a real possibility after the Monday heroics of Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Only 11 overs were possible before lunch but that was long enough for centurion Gayle to fall having added just one run to his overnight 106.

Gayle, who was at the crease for 226 minutes and hit 17 fours, lost his balance while cutting a delivery from fast bowler Makhaya Ntini and was caught by Neil McKenzie in the gully.

His dismissal ended a stand of 174 for the fourth wicket with Sarwan, a West Indian record for any wicket in tests against South Africa.

Three overs later Pollock trapped Sarwan in front for a career-best equalling 119 with a ball that cut back at the right hander. West Indies then tottered to 278 for six when Dwayne Smith lost his off-stump to a Ntini delivery without scoring.

Just five overs were bowled between lunch and tea because of rain but Pollock struck twice in that time to have Vasbert Drakes caught by Herschelle Gibbs in the gully for four off a rising delivery and then trap Ridley Jacobs lbw for three.

Merv Dillon battled away for 29 before being caught by Graeme Smith at first slip off Pollock and Fidel Edwards was bowled by fast bowler Andre Nel as West Indies were dismissed 10 overs into the final session.

Smith (23 not out) and Herschelle Gibbs romped to the small victory target as the match ended in farcical fashion.

On the penultimate ball of the game, bowled by fast bowler Edwards to Smith, wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs was beaten and the ball sped over the boundary for four byes.

Edwards's next delivery slid down the leg side, past Smith and Jacobs and across the ropes for five wides as West Indies slipped to another humbling defeat.

Scoreboard

South Africa (1st innings): 604-6 declared (H.Gibbs 192, G.Smith 139, K.Kallis 130 not out)

West Indies (2nd innings):
CH Gayle c McKenzie b Ntini 107
D Ganga b Ntini 0
RR Sarwan lbw Pollock 119
BC Lara lbw Nel 6
S Chanderpaul c Gibbs b Kallis 27
DR Smith b Ntini 0
RD Jacobs lbw Pollock 3
VC Drakes c Gibbs b Pollock 4
M Dillon c Smith b Pollock 29
CD Collymore not out 13
FH Edwards b Nel 10

Extras: (b 4, lb 11, w 7, nb 8) 30

Total: (106.4 overs) 348-all out

Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-32, 3-99, 4-273, 5-277, 6-278, 7-284, 8-309, 9-322, 10-348.

Bowling: Pollock 32-10-69-4, Ntini 28-4-99-3, Nel 15.4-2-64-2, Kallis 16-4-49-1, Hall 0.2-0-4-0, Smith 8.4-1-24-0, Rudolph 6-0-24-0.

South Africa (2nd innings):
GC Smith not out 23
HH Gibbs not out 8

Extras: (b 4, w 10, nb 1) 15

Total: (3.4 overs) 46-0

Did not bat:: JA Rudolph, JH Kallis, G Kirsten, ND McKenzie, MV Boucher, SM Pollock, AJ Hall, M Ntini, A Nel.

Bowling: Dillon 2-0-17-0, Edwards 1.4-0-25-0