The Momentum Proteas secured a 10-wicket victory against Bangladesh at Newlands and sealed a spot in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup semifinals.
All semifinal spots have been settled, with South Africa facing England in Friday's semifinal at Newlands and Australia battling India on Thursday.
Chasing 114 to win, openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits played a conservative innings as they shared an unbeaten 117-run partnership.
After 10 overs, South Africa were dangling for 43-0, the Proteas duo were desperate to get going and finally hit their straps, picking up the odd boundary.
The Proteas Women brush aside Bangladesh to qualify for the #T20WorldCup semis ??#HereForHer pic.twitter.com/hRXjD2CfCX
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) February 21, 2023
However, they soon started to pummel the Bangladesh attack as both batters brought up their half-centuries.
Wolvaardt top-scored with 66 off 56 balls, which included seven fours and a six.
Brits notched up 50 off 51 balls, which included four fours as South Africa got over the line with 13 balls to spare.
Earlier on, Nigar Sultana top-scored with 30 as Bangladesh posted 113-4 in their 20 overs.
After opting to bat first, the Proteas' pace attack struck early as allrounder Marizanne Kapp got opener Murshida Khatun to slap it to cover and was comfortably caught by Nadine de Klerk for a duck.
?? RESULT | SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 10 WICKETS
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) February 21, 2023
The opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt (66*) and Tazmin Brits (50*) took it upon themselves to knock off the target with 13 balls to spare and secure our spot in the #T20WorldCup semi-final#SAvBAN #MyHero #AlwaysRising pic.twitter.com/SSAEA3jdII
Fast bowler Shabnim Ismail went short and Shamima Sultana tried to pull but got a top edge and departed for 11.
A 33-run stand between Sobhana Mostary and Nigar Sultana formed before Nonkululeko Mlaba got the much-needed breakthrough.
Mostary walked back to the dugout and was subsequently bowled for 27 off 30 balls (hitting two fours).
Seamer Ayabonga Khaka came into the attack and struck by bowling Shorna Akter out for 11.
Skipper Sultana top-scored for Bangladesh as she made 30 off 34 balls before she attempted a sweep and was bowled out by Kapp (2-17).
Hope seemed lost for the tourists, but runs kept leaking as the Proteas dropped a few sitters and gave too many overthrows away.
Khaka (2-21) grabbed her second as Fargana Hoque walked down the track and was bowled for seven.