Antigua

For the first time in ten years, South Africa has reached the semifinal of a T20 World Cup, beating co-hosts West Indies in a thriller by three wickets to enter the final four in this edition. Marco Jansen hit a six off the first ball of the 17th over to win a close game for the Proteas, who are unbeaten in seven matches this year. From Group B, England and South Africa are the two teams to qualify for the semis. 

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With England qualifying for the semis following their ten-wicket win over the USA the other night, the marquee South Africa vs West Indies game became a virtual knockout. Although the thousands of fans in attendance were backing the home team to enter the last four, the Proteas held onto their nerves and won a rain-hit game with three wickets remaining.

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South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first, removing two quick wickets to put WI under pressure. Kyle Mayers and Roston Chase added 81 runs for the third wicket before Tabraiz Shamsi accounted for Mayers on 32 and Sherfane Rutherford on a four-ball duck. He also picked Chase's wicket on 51. 

Wickets continued to tumble in the middle overs, with both spinners (Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj) doing the damage.

Although Andre Russell turned back the clock with two massive hits to Anrich Nortje, he failed to hold onto the momentum as Proteas restricted the home side to 135 for eight in 20 overs.

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So close and yet so far!

West Indies was on top of the Proteas with two wickets in the second over, with Russell removing both openers. However, the rain interruption caused a break in the momentum, as when the game resumed, the South Africans looked in control of the chase. They then needed 124 from 17 overs.

Captain Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen tried stitching a partnership, but the regular fall of wickets meant they were sitting far from a comfortable position. 

Tristan Stubbs held one end, contributing with four handy boundaries before Chase got him, alongside dismissing David Miller, clean bowled on just four.

With Marco Jansen and Maharaj at the crease during the final overs, South Africa hoped to break the jinx and reach the T20 WC semis. They eventually won the match in the last over, becoming the second team from the Group B in Super 8s to go through.