The Netherlands set up a heavyweight Women's World Cup quarter-final with Spain after ending South Africa's historic run with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.

The 2019 runners-up were efficient rather than scintillating in front of 40,000 in Sydney to ensure they would not become the latest victim of a shock at the tournament.

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Jill Roord scored after nine minutes to put the Dutch on their way against a team ranked 45 places below them and featuring in the knockout rounds for the first time.

South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart then made a mess of an innocuous Lineth Beerensteyn shot midway through the second half to gift the Dutch a second.

The African champions will be kicking themselves after having numerous chances in the opening 45 minutes, almost all to their livewire captain Thembi Kgatlana.

The Netherlands will meet Spain on Friday in the last eight.

In an open start, the 54th-ranked South Africans had the first chance on six minutes but Kgatlana fired straight at goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar -- it was to become a theme.

The Dutch took the lead three minutes later, midfielder Roord nodding in from close range following a corner for her fourth goal of the tournament.

The striker Kgatlana, who scored the winner over Italy that gave South Africa their first win ever at the World Cup, was a constant threat with her pace.

Three more times in the first half the US-based Kgatlana could have scored.

Neutrals at Sydney Football Stadium got behind her team and there was a buzz of anticipation each time she ran with the ball.

On 12 minutes she sprinted away from a Dutch defence that was treading water and fizzed her effort just over the bar.

Danielle van de Donk should have got a second for the Netherlands but her tame effort was easily saved by the goalkeeper Swart, then Kgatlana rattled the Dutch once more with a mazy run and shot that stung the palms of Van Domselaar.

South Africa had already taken off injured forward Jermaine Seoposenwe and they lost Bambanani Mbane three minutes before the break when she was stretchered off with a badly hurt ankle.

If anything that spurred Desiree Ellis's side and Kgatlana surged through again but was foiled by Van Domselaar once more with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Moments before the break there was a repeat, the Dutch defence finding the 27-year-old Kgatlana too hot to handle but Van Domselaar standing firm.

The Dutch needed another goal after half-time or had to find a way to suffocate Kgatlana on South Africa's counter-attacks.

Nine minutes after the break coach Andries Jonker thought his side had their second but it was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

The Dutch, who by now were dominating possession, got their second on 68 minutes when Swart's blunder let Beerensteyn's tame effort slip through her hands.

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The Netherlands set up a heavyweight Women's World Cup quarter-final with Spain after ending South Africa's historic run with a 2-0 victory on Sunday. The 2019 runners-up were efficient rather than scintillating in front of 40,000 in Sydney to ensure they would not become the latest victim of a shock at the tournament.

The Netherlands set up a heavyweight Women's World Cup quarter-final with Spain after ending South Africa's historic run with a 2-0 victory on Sunday. The 2019 runners-up were efficient rather than scintillating in front of 40,000 in Sydney to ensure they would not become the latest victim of a shock at the tournament. Also Read: Four-time Olympic champion Simone Biles makes triumphant return to gymnastics at US Classic Jill Roord scored after nine minutes to put the Dutch on their way against a team ranked 45 places below them and featuring in the knockout rounds for the first time. South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart then made a mess of an innocuous Lineth Beerensteyn shot midway through the second half to gift the Dutch a second. The African champions will be kicking themselves after having numerous chances in the opening 45 minutes, almost all to their livewire captain Thembi Kgatlana. The Netherlands will meet Spain on Friday in the last eight. In an open start, the 54th-ranked South Africans had the first chance on six minutes but Kgatlana fired straight at goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar -- it was to become a theme. The Dutch took the lead three minutes later, midfielder Roord nodding in from close range following a corner for her fourth goal of the tournament. The striker Kgatlana, who scored the winner over Italy that gave South Africa their first win ever at the World Cup, was a constant threat with her pace. Three more times in the first half the US-based Kgatlana could have scored. Neutrals at Sydney Football Stadium got behind her team and there was a buzz of anticipation each time she ran with the ball. On 12 minutes she sprinted away from a Dutch defence that was treading water and fizzed her effort just over the bar. Danielle van de Donk should have got a second for the Netherlands but her tame effort was easily saved by the goalkeeper Swart, then Kgatlana rattled the Dutch once more with a mazy run and shot that stung the palms of Van Domselaar. South Africa had already taken off injured forward Jermaine Seoposenwe and they lost Bambanani Mbane three minutes before the break when she was stretchered off with a badly hurt ankle. If anything that spurred Desiree Ellis's side and Kgatlana surged through again but was foiled by Van Domselaar once more with only the goalkeeper to beat. Moments before the break there was a repeat, the Dutch defence finding the 27-year-old Kgatlana too hot to handle but Van Domselaar standing firm. The Dutch needed another goal after half-time or had to find a way to suffocate Kgatlana on South Africa's counter-attacks. Nine minutes after the break coach Andries Jonker thought his side had their second but it was ruled out for offside following a VAR review. The Dutch, who by now were dominating possession, got their second on 68 minutes when Swart's blunder let Beerensteyn's tame effort slip through her hands. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Women's World Cup: Netherlands halt South Africa's dream run, set up quarter-final with Spain

South Africa became the second team to reach the Women's World Cup semi-finals after Thursday's group match against West Indies was abandoned due to rain.

South Africa were 61 for 4 after 10.5 overs at Basin Reserve in Wellington before the match was called off, with both teams receiving a point.

South Africa have nine points and will finish second in the round-robin stage behind unbeaten Australia, who lead with 12 points. Both teams have one round-robin match left.

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West Indies are third on seven points having played all seven of their matches, while India are fourth on six points with a game still to play.

Defending champions England are fifth on four points from five matches and face Pakistan in Christchurch on Thursday.

The 50-overs tournament features eight teams in the round-robin phase with the top four advancing to the semis.

South Africa became the second team to reach the Women's World Cup semi-finals after Thursday's group match against West Indies was abandoned due to rain. South Africa were 61 for 4 after 10.

South Africa became the second team to reach the Women's World Cup semi-finals after Thursday's group match against West Indies was abandoned due to rain. South Africa were 61 for 4 after 10.5 overs at Basin Reserve in Wellington before the match was called off, with both teams receiving a point. South Africa have nine points and will finish second in the round-robin stage behind unbeaten Australia, who lead with 12 points. Both teams have one round-robin match left. ALSO READ: From 264/5 to 268 all-out: Pakistan suffer their worst-ever five-wicket collapse during Lahore Test West Indies are third on seven points having played all seven of their matches, while India are fourth on six points with a game still to play. Defending champions England are fifth on four points from five matches and face Pakistan in Christchurch on Thursday. The 50-overs tournament features eight teams in the round-robin phase with the top four advancing to the semis.

Women's World Cup: South Africa book semi-final berth after washout against West Indies

For the dozens of women training at a shooting range near Johannesburg, learning how to use a gun has become a means of protection in a country where a woman is murdered every three hours.

South African women turn to guns to fight rape and murder