South Africa face Bangladesh at Lord’s on Sunday in a must-win clash to close out the group stage, with the result of the same-day India vs Australia match determining whether victory alone is enough to advance.
The Proteas sit third on six points after a dominant 88-run win over the Netherlands, in which Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits put on a 121-run opening stand to set up South Africa’s highest-ever World Cup total of 208-1.
AFRICA PICKS: South Africa vs Bangladesh – Women’s T20 World Cup preview
Brits struck a maiden T20I century, finishing unbeaten on 114, while Wolvaardt made 45 and Annerie Dercksen added 37*. Ayabonga Khaka took 3-19 with the ball.
India also won their previous fixture, beating Bangladesh by five wickets to move level with South Africa on six points, setting up a tense finish for the second qualification spot behind already-through Australia.
Net run rate could prove decisive. India’s rate of plus 2.268 comfortably exceeds South Africa’s plus 0.734, meaning the Proteas Women may need both a win and a significant improvement in net run rate to leapfrog India, depending on the result of the Australia match.
Bangladesh, fourth on four points, still have a slim mathematical chance of progressing.
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