The teams took to the pitch on Friday morning at 10:30 and Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat. For South Africa it was a different kettle of fish as they usually bat first. Speaking in regards to this, Captain Temba Bavuma said, “We did something differently today, we normally bat first but we batted second. To get over the line in that manner will give us confidence.”

With the match being a mere formality for South Africa as they have already qualified for the semi-finals where they will be up against Australia next week, a win today was more about solidifying their campaign and the road to a possible final. 

Gaining confidence from the win will do just that for the side. Another added bonus is the fact that the game gave the Proteas the opportunity to study the conditions, as the final will also be played at the same venue.

Afghanistan posted 244 in their allotted 50 overs on the back of Azmatullah Omarzai's unbeaten knock of 97, which included seven boundaries and three sixes. Gerald Coetzee was the pick of the South African bowlers with figures of 4-44. Quinton De Kock managed to finish the innings with six catches to tie the record for most wicket keeping dismissals in a World Cup match.

With South Africa taking to the bat, opening batsman Quinton De Kock managed a  41 before being bowled out on a LBW. Despite being bowled out, his 41 runs  took him to the top of the tournament's scoring charts on 591 runs.

Rassie van der Dussen was the pick of the South African bowlers as he scored 76 not out, guiding the Proteas to a victory. This 65-run partnership with Andile Phehlukwayo (39 not out), carried the Proteas home. With the game being tight at the end, runs directly in relation to the balls left, Phehlukwayo managed a winning six over deep mid-wicket in the 48th over leading the side to a win. 

"They say winning is a habit so we want to take that momentum through, we take a lot of confidence," South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma stated as they now prepare for their sem-final and hopeful final. 

Tomorrow at 7:00, Australia will face Bangladesh in Pune, while at 10:30 Pakistan will be up against England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With New Zealand almost guaranteed of their place in the semi’s, these results will have an affect on who will play against India in their semi-final. 

South Africa will face Australia on Thursday in their semi-final, with the hosts India will take on the fourth-placed team the previous day in the other semi-final.