South Africa Edges Closer To T20 World Cup Semi-Finals After Beating England

South Africa secured their second win in the T20 World Cup Super 8s with a seven-run victory over England on Friday, bringing them closer to the final four.

Quinton de Kock was the standout performer for the Proteas, but it was Anrich Nortje's bowling in the final over that ensured England could not clinch the win.

South Africa began strongly, achieving their second-most productive powerplay in the tournament so far, without losing a wicket.

De Kock reached his half-century off 22 balls and eventually scored 65. However, South Africa's momentum waned as England fought back.

Despite an early over costing him 21 runs, Jofra Archer finished with figures of 3-40, aided by some excellent catching from Jos Buttler. England managed to limit South Africa to 163-6.

England struggled to maintain that momentum when they batted, scoring just 41 runs in their powerplay – their lowest tally this year.

Harry Brook (53) and Liam Livingstone (33) helped England find their rhythm, but when Brook was caught in the final over, Sam Curran and Archer could not score the 14 runs needed from the last five balls, ending at 156-6.

South Africa are off to a whirlwind start in the Powerplay with Quinton de Kock going all guns blazing again#T20WorldCup | #ENGvSA | : https://t.co/G06VmXx8LM pic.twitter.com/UVi3g9lcQZ

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 21, 2024

De Kock has scored consecutive fifties at the T20 World Cup. His tally today equalled the fastest half-century of the tournament (USA's Aaron Jones also scored 50 off 22 balls).

His 49 runs in the powerplay is the most by a South African batter at a men's T20 World Cup, surpassing his own previous record of 46 against England in 2016.