Yesterday India had a bat first in their must-win game against South Africa and scored 247/7 in their allotted 50 overs with the captain, Mithalo Raj scoring 68 runs.

For the Proteas, Laura Wolvaardt, continued her fine form with 80 runs while the seasoned Mignon du Preez scored 52 not out to lead South Africa to the win off of the final delivery.

Du Preez said on a personal level the win was special.

“You get to a point where you know you haven't performed the way you should, so from my point of view, I definitely wanted to contribute and stand up in big moments when the team needed me most.

“It was just good to contribute so close to the semi-finals. It's not about how you start the tournament, but how you finish it.”

Wolvaardt is now the leading run-scorer in the World Cup with 433 runs in seven innings at an average of 61.85 and a highest score of 90. She has scored more than 50 runs on five occasions at the tournament.

South Africa will face England on Thursday in Christchurch.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport