On Sunday, the Proteas had to dig deep in Delhi to edge a defiant Zimbabwe by five wickets, maintaining their status as the only unbeaten side at the tournament. Batting first, Zimbabwe posted 153/7 in their allotted 20 overs, with captain Sikandar Raza leading from the front with a superb 73 off 43 balls, striking eight fours and four sixes.

At the back end of the innings, Clive Madande chipped in with 26 off 20, while the dangerous Brian Bennett made 15 off 13 at the top.

Dewald Brevis. Photo: Cricinfo

Teenager Kwena Maphaka impressed with the ball, finishing as the pick of the South African bowlers with 2/21 in his four overs, while Corbin Bosch claimed 2/40. Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje both returned tidy figures of 1/29.

In reply, South Africa’s chase got off to a nervy start. Quinton de Kock was caught behind for a duck off the third ball of the innings, while skipper Aiden Markram fell cheaply for four, both wickets going to Raza in a fiery opening spell.

Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis steadied the ship with a valuable 29-run partnership before Rickelton was dismissed for 31 off 22 by Brad Evans. Brevis then lit up the chase with a blistering 42 off just 18 balls, shifting the momentum back in South Africa’s favour.

The finishing touches were applied calmly by Tristan Stubbs with 21 not out and George Linde with 30 not out, who guided the Proteas home with composure under pressure.

Following the hard-fought win, coach Shukri Conrad said the team is excited to head to Kolkata for the semi-final against the Black Caps, a side they beat by seven wickets earlier in the tournament.

“It is wonderful – we kind of worked that out last night already,” said Conrad.

“So ja, really excited, but we wanted to finish the day properly as well and get something out of it, which I think we did.

Sikandar Raza. Photo: Cricinfo

“We’re looking forward to getting to Kolkata, where our tour a couple of months ago started really well for us, so hopefully we can create some more good memories there.”

While the Proteas’ campaign has been convincing overall, there have been testing moments – notably against Afghanistan – where they’ve had to dig deep. Conrad believes the ability to find a way to win, even when under pressure, is what sets top teams apart, much like the South Africa national rugby union team has shown over the years.

“I think that’s the mark of really good sides – when things get tough, they still find a way to eke out the right result,” he added.

Tristan Stubbs. Photo: Cricinfo

“There’s a real calmness in the side, especially in the batting unit, that no matter the situation, someone will step up. And credit must also go to the bowlers – aside from maybe the Afghanistan game, where we leaked too many extras, they’ve responded brilliantly.

“I can only take my hat off to them. We’re really chuffed with our all-round game, but we know there’s a big task ahead.”

Wednesday’s highly anticipated semi-final at the iconic Eden Gardens is scheduled to start at 15:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek  sm