However, when Roy was given out obstructing the field - the first time this had happened in a T20 worldwide - the innings fell away.
Malan had walked out to the middle at the end of the second over after Jason Roy was caught behind off Morne Morkel - a relief for the wicketkeeper, Mangaliso Mosehle, who had dropped a skier off the opener's third ball - and immediately made his presence felt, heaving his second ball in worldwide cricket off Chris Morris for six with a handsome pull over leg.
He had struck two sixes and a four in the 11th over before Mason gained revenge by having him caught on the boundary, resulting in ecstatic celebrations from the bowler.
Bairstow's dismissal ended the partnership when he chipped man-of-the-match Chris Morris (2-18) to mid-on.
The incident happened when Roy veered off a straight course and was hit by a throw from Andile Phehlukwayo when short of his ground.
South Africa captain AB de Villiers gave the visitors brief hope of chasing down England with a typically bludgeoning 35 from 19 balls.
"I think it was a 50-50 call".
"Everyone in the changing room thought it could go either way, so it's not massively controversial", said Morgan. You can see both sides to the call. The umpires were satisfied that it was a field obstruction by the batsman and hence, he was given out.
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"It's not an easy decision and it's never nice to get out like that".
England still had batting to come after Roy's exit.
Phehlukwayo, who bowled a nerveless final over from which 12 were required, claimed the key wicket of Jos Buttler - the returning hero undone by a fine yorker - while Morgan thumped a full toss to mid-on from the skiddy pace of Dane Paterson. England, however, were off to a shaky start, losing their opening wicket with just 13 runs on the board as Jason Roy's poor form continued again and he fell for mere eight in the second over.
South Africa's total, though just one shy of the average score for T20 matches at the County Ground, looked a little below-par, and - after the early loss of Sam Billings (3) - England set about proving that was the case through Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow.
Still, dangerman de Villiers remained at the crease and he'd clearly made a decision to go after leg spinner Crane, playing in only in his second England match.
Surrey star Curran immediately impressed with the ball taking a wicket with just his second worldwide delivery, opener Reeza Hendricks bottom edging onto his stumps. Captain AB de Villiers 46, JJ Smuts and Farhaan Behardien made significant contributions for their side.
They included an extraordinary sweep off one knee against left-arm paceman David Willey that flew into the River Tone before he was dismissed next ball. The 22-year-old Surrey seamer nearly removed Proteas opener Reeza Hendricks with his first ball in global cricket before actually managing it with his very next delivery.
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