Summary

  • South Africa beat England by seven runs to close on semi-finals

  • England finish on 156-6 in pursuit of 164 in Saint Lucia

  • They were 61-4 and needed 101 from final nine overs before Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone shared 78

  • England needed 25 from 18 balls but South Africa close out for win

  • South Africa raced to 69-0 off seven overs but England rallied well to limit them to 163-6

  • Quinton de Kock top-scores with 65 and David Miller adds 43

  • Jofra Archer takes 3-40 and Jos Buttler claims superb catch and run out

Live Reporting

Ffion Wynne

  1. Steven Finn
    Former England fast bowler on BBC Sounds

    Jos Buttler isn't risking two early overs of spin again!

    England take the field ahead of their T20 World Cup game against South AfricaGetty Images

  2. SA 20-0

    South Africa are still very respectful of Reece Topley, looking to rotate the strike instead of any hefty hitting.

    Jos Buttler opts against a second successive over of spin in the powerplay, with Jofra Archer coming into the attack.

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    England fans at the T20 World Cup match against South AfricaGetty Images

    How can they be almost empty crowds at these stadiums for a World Cup. This is ridiculous.

    Ian

  4. Steven Finn
    Former England fast bowler on BBC Sounds

    England won't mind that, it sounds unusual but they were piling the pressure on De Kock and forcing him to play the risky shot which he may not have been ready to do.

  5. Geoff Lemon
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Sounds

    That was very close to being caught at long-off. Quinton de Kock takes the risk and it just about pays off.

  6. 6 runs

    SA 14-0

    Quinton de Kock gambles - but it pays off.

    The South Africa opener skips down the track as Moeen Ali overpitches slightly, with his drive just beating the outstretched hand of the fielder at long-off and flying over the rope for six.

  7. Geoff Lemon
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Sounds

    We were expecting England to target Quinton de Kock with spin. He loves pace on the ball, such a strong player against the seamers.

    Quinton de KockGetty Images

  8. SA 2-0

    England shackled the powerful West Indies top order earlier this week and they have picked up where they left off here, with just two runs off Reece Topley's first over.

    It will be off-spin at the other end as Moeen Ali comes on for an early twirl.

  9. Geoff Lemon
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Sounds

    It is hot, and will be difficult for the side bowling first. But it's not quite the same call that England made in Delhi in the 50-over World Cup!

  10. We have just seen an overhead shot of the outfield, which has been cut in a lovely circular flower pattern. Kudos to the ground staff.

  11. Steven Finn
    Former England fast bowler on BBC Sounds

    I don't think the toss will bear too much significance because the pitch is good, and it will stay that way throughout. But it will just give England a little more confidence knowing that they are doing what they wanted to do.

    Quinton de KockGetty Images

  12. The sun is beating down in St Lucia with not a cloud in the sky as the two teams line up for the national anthems. It looks hot and will only get hotter as the day progresses.

    Quinton de Kock, who hit an impressive 74 against USA on Wednesday will open for South Africa with Reeza Hendricks.

    The tall frame of Reece Topley will take the new ball for England.

  13. Geoff Lemon
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Sounds

    Heinrich Klaasen has been so consistent at the same time as being relentlessly aggressive. He's had to play a few run-a-ball innings which doesn't suit him.

    Hopefully he can have a licence today to make the most of the better conditions because he is one of the most exciting strikers to watch.

  14. Steven Finn
    Former England fast bowler on BBC Sounds

    South Africa are unbeaten but they haven't played well. They are yet to find a convincing win but that worries me for England because they are going to click eventually, they are too good not to.

    They've played on some tricky pitches in the States which didn't suit their batting approach. This one is a belter and they've got to be confident enough to trust their batting method.

  15. The teams

    South Africa went with two frontline spinners against USA but have opted to bolster their seam attack this time, with Ottneil Baartman returning in place of Tabraiz Shamsi. England are unchanged after their best performance of the competition so far against West Indies.

    South Africa XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markam (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman, Anrich Nortje.

    England:Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (c wk), Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley.

  16. Steven Finn
    Former England fast bowler on BBC Sounds

    I thought England might go for Chris Jordan's death overs skills because you need that to combat South Africa's immensely powerful line-up. But they've stuck with Mark Wood's pace and trusting him to take middle overs wickets.

  17. Complaining about the heat after the summer we have had back in the UK is not going to get you much sympathy, Matthew.

  18. Matthew Henry
    BBC Sport in St Lucia

    We're expecting a smaller crowd today, given this is a day game and comes on the back of two games for the co-hosts West Indies here.

    It's also red hot. Myself, Steven Finn, Geoff Lemon and Henry Moeran tried to play pickleball in our hotel in this heat a few days ago.

    Not pretty.

  19. Steven Finn
    Former England fast bowler on BBC Sounds

    We saw a far better version of England against West Indies than we have done in the rest of the tournament. It feels as though they are building in the right direction, helped by the fact they are playing on a very good surface in St Lucia.

    So England will be very happy with their work but wary that South Africa are a very dangerous team who are yet to completely click but are due to.

  20. Australia v Bangladesh highlights

    And if you want to watch the highlights of that match, here you go.