The Proteas Women walked out in Birmingham on Wednesday under immense pressure after being thrashed by defending champions Australia in their tournament opener.
Defeat to Pakistan would have left South Africa on the brink of elimination in a fiercely competitive Group A.
The T20 World Cup features 12 teams split into two pools of six.
South Africa are lumped with fellow heavyweights India and six-time winners Australia in Group A and only the top two sides after the group stage progress to the semi-finals.
India thrashed the Netherlands by 95 runs on Wednesday, while Australia easily beat Bangladesh by nine wickets to sit joint top of the group with four points each after two matches.
South Africa, after surviving a late scare to secure a crucial victory over Pakistan, move onto two points from their opening two matches.
However, India lead the group with a net run rate of 3.975, narrowly ahead of Australia’s 3.875, while South Africa trail far behind with a net run rate of -1.097.
The Proteas Women needed 16.5 overs to knock off the 127 runs needed to beat Pakistan, while their 65-run loss to Australia in their opener severely damaged their NRR.
Sunday’s clash against India has effectively become a knockout match for the Proteas.
Dercksen thrilled to deliver in do-or-die clash
A win for India would put them on six points and almost certain of locking down one of the semi-final spots, while South Africa would be left needing to beat the Netherlands and Bangladesh by big margins.
Even then, it may not be enough depending on other group results.
Group A is the tournament’s so-called “group of death” and one of South Africa, India and Australia will be guaranteed to miss out.
Group B features defending champions New Zealand and former champions England and West Indies.
India thrashed arch rivals Pakistan by 64 runs in their opener before winning even more convincingly against the Netherlands on Wednesday, and South Africa will need to be at their best on Sunday.
Proteas Women T20 World Cup Fixtures
21 June: South Africa vs India, Old Trafford (3:30pm)
25 June: South Africa vs Netherlands, Bristol County Ground, Bristol (7:30pm)
28 June: South Africa vs Bangladesh, Lord’s, London (11:30am)
