The Proteas, who lost their initial three diversions, achieved 29-2 in the 7.3 overs conceivable in Southampton.
They gathered their first World Cup point yet face a battle to complete in the best four in the gathering stage.
“We are in an awful position yet it’s our own deficiency,” said South Africa chief Faf du Plessis.
“We haven’t played our best cricket up until this point and we need a strong presentation to get the group’s certainty up.”
South Africa stay second from base of the table while West Indies climb two spots to fifth.
Just 40 minutes of play were conceivable before tenacious downpour constrained the players off. Play was at long last relinquished at 16:15 BST.
Sheldon Cottrell had Hashim Amla taken at slip for six and Aiden Markram got down the leg side for five in asserting figures of 2-18.
West Indies captain Jason Holder stated: “We had a great begin again with the ball. Sheldon was phenomenal again with the new ball. Tragically the climate came.”
This was the second match of the World Cup to be surrendered due to rain, following the wash-out among Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Friday.
Downpour is likewise figure on Tuesday at Bristol, where Bangladesh meet Sri Lanka, and on Wednesday at Taunton, where Australia play Pakistan.
West Indies face England at Southampton on Friday, while South Africa take on Afghanistan at Cardiff on Saturday.
West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell missed Monday’s down with knee damage, yet Holder stated: “We are trusting he pulls up okay. I get it is a gift this game is finished and we can anticipate the game against England.”
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