Summary

  • South Africa shock defending champions Australia to reach final

  • Proteas chase 135 in 17.2 overs to win by eight wickets

  • Australia struggle for fluency on slow pitch - Mooney top-scores with 44

  • Australia had won past three T20 World Cups and six of past seven

  • West Indies face New Zealand in second semi on Friday

  • Final will be first in women's T20 or 50-over to not feature one of Australia or England

  • Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary at top of page

Live Reporting

Mike Peter & Ffion Wynne

  1. SA review

    Chloe Tryon thinks she's got Beth Mooney lbw as the Australian opener misses a sweep.

    I'm not sure there's not much going for this. It was half an appeal at best, probably drifting down the leg side.

  2. Aus 72-3

    That wicket takes Nonkululeko Mlaba to the top of the wicket-taking charts of this World Cup, alongside New Zealand leg-spinner Amelia Kerr with 10 scalps each.

  3. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    South Africa celebrate the wicket of Tahlia McGrathGetty Images

    Tahlia McGrath's claggy innings comes to an end. She looked to get after it but it offered the most simple of catches; she hasn't got going today at all.

  4. wicket

    WICKET

    McGrath c Dercksen b Mlaba 27 (Aus 68-3)

    Soft.

    Smart work from Nonkululeko Mlaba, taking all the pace off the ball and forcing Tahlia McGrath to go for it. The stand-in captain slices it straight up to Annerie Dercksen who pouches a simple catch at cover.

    A strange innings from McGrath, who departs for 27 from 33 balls. She never looked completely sure of what her role was.

    McGrath goes for 27 to Mlaba

  5. Aus 68-2

    With wickets in hand, it would be criminal for Australia to waste this.

    They've got so much depth, with Annabel Sutherland batting at eight. But it's their bowling and fielding that has really stood out during this World Cup so they would probably still be comfortable with defending something around 130.

  6. Tash Farrant
    England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Tahlia McGrath plays a shotGetty Images

    South Africa have started really well and Australia are going to have to go now. I expect we'll see Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath put the foot down here; they will have to go a lot quicker than they have been.

    South Africa will be trying to keep Australia's economy down which is so important and picking up wickets is the best way to do that.

  7. Aus 62-2

    A much-needed boundary for Tahlia McGrath as she carves Sune Luus through the covers.

    Beth Mooney has a run-a-ball 25 and McGrath has 23 from 28. If Mooney is anchoring the innings, as is her usual role, McGrath has got to get a move on here.

  8. Aus 53-2

    Beth MooneyGetty Images

    I'm going to say South Africa have won those opening 10 overs.

    Australia need a flurry of boundaries, and quickly. We saw West Indies chase 141 very comfortably here a couple of days ago so they can't be complacent.

    They've only scored 18 runs since the powerplay.

  9. Aus 48-2

    At last!

    Beth Mooney skips down the pitch and slams Chloe Tryon down the ground for four.

  10. Aus 44-2

    Australia have faced 31 dot balls in these opening nine overs.

    Laura Wolvaardt looks very pleasantly surprised as she directs her fielders into position.

  11. Tash Farrant
    England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    It's been quite tentative from Australia. Georgia Wareham in at three didn't work, it hasn't worked this whole tournament.

    The game is in the balance but certainly a nervy start from Australia and there is so much energy in the South Africa field.

  12. Aus 42-2

    Tahlia McGrath completely misses a sweep and Chloe Tryon can't believe her luck, with the ball grazing past the stumps by a whisker.

    Again, just three singles from it. South Africa have given nothing away.

  13. Georgia Wareham's dismissal was a bit of a weird one, but South Africa were convinced and the review paid off.

    Wareham dismissed for five after review

  14. Aus 39-2

    Nadine de Klerk concedes just four from her first over.

    Are Australia feeling the pressure or is this all just part of their grand plan...?

  15. Firdose Moonda
    Cricinfo writer on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    The game feels very evenly poised, maybe even South Africa on top. I do feel nervous - every run feels like a run too many. But South Africa would have bitten your hand off for 35-2 in the powerplay.

  16. Aus 35-2

    Tahlia McGrath provides a little bit of acceleration for Australia from the final over of the powerplay, whacking Nonkululeko Mlaba for two fours through the covers.

    However, the run-rate is still in South Africa's control. It hasn't been a flying start from the world champions.

  17. Aus 27-2

    Bit of uncertainty from Beth Mooney as she chips one just short of Chloe Tryon at cover.

    This has been a very promising start from South Africa. But it's a big call from Laura Wolvaardt as Marizanne Kapp has now bowled three of her four overs.

  18. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Australia aren't quite getting away from South Africa yet. But their deep batting line-up gives them that little bit of insurance after those two early wickets.

  19. Here's how South Africa got the first breakthrough, with opener Grace Harris departing for three.

    Khaka removes Harris for three

  20. Aus 23-2

    Another tight over from Ayabonga Khaka, just five singles from it as Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath settle in.

    Australia's batting depth is amazing, these two are so experienced, but those two early wickets may just keep the scoring rate in check.