It was also the first time ever that England has lost three matches in a row at a World Cup and this has put them under a lot of pressure to defend their title.

England scored 235/9 in their allotted 50 overs, while Marizanne Kapp was the star with the ball for South Africa with a career-best 5/45. It was the first time that Kapp has managed to claim a fiver-for in an One-Day International.

Laura Wolvaardt scored 77 for the Proteas with the captain Suné Luus adding 36 and Kapp played a valuable knock of 32.

Kapp said she believes the Proteas will get stronger going forward.

“In the first two games we probably didn't show the kind of cricket that we can and want to play", said the player of the match.

“Even today we scrapped the runs together and managed to get over the line.

“We remember the heartbreak that we have in 2017 in the previous World Cup and today we can with a different plan. Luckily it paid off for us.

“As from today I believe that this team is just going to get better with each game that passes.”

The win has moved South Africa up to second in the standings, and they only trail the log-leading Australia by virtue of net run rate. England by contrast after second from last on the table and a long with Pakistan are the only team yet to collect points.

South Africa will face the host New Zealand in Hamilton on Thursday in their next match.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport