Summary

  • SA (127-4) win with two balls to spare

  • Van Niekerk (46) & Kapp (38) share stand of 84

  • England post 123-8

  • Sciver makes half-century from 40 balls

  • Adds 32 with Brunt in three overs

  • England were champions in 2009 and three-time runners-up since

  • Use audio icon at the top of the page to listen to TMS commentary

  • In-play highlights available to UK users

Live Reporting

Mark Mitchener and Stephan Shemilt

  1. If Flash is playing over the PA, England may regret not picking Kirstie Gordon for this tournament...

  2. Amy Lofthouse
    BBC Sport at the Waca

    “Lovely jubbly catch!” says the man next to me, and I think I should probably offer him my job. The DJ, incidentally, is playing quite a lot of Queen songs - Fran Wilson just walked out to Flash. They’re playing across the road tonight, apparently.

  3. Eng 45-3

    Fran Wilson joins Sciver, twirling her bat between deliveries before unleashing a careful reverse sweep. But it's only two singles from a terrific over from the Proteas skip.

  4. Nicky Shaw
    Ex-England all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

    I'm not sure she needed to do that. There was so much space on the leg side. She has gone down the ground and not hit it at all.

  5. wicket

    WICKET

    Knight c Ismail b Van Niekerk 6 (Eng 43-3)

    And the bowling change pays off as Van Niekerk removes fellow skipper Knight second ball. The England captain advanced and looked to hit her opposite number over the top - but Ismail runs round to take a great catch at long-on.

  6. Eng 43-2

    Sciver 8, Knight 6

    A couple more singles mean it's five from the over.

    Looks like captain Dane van Niekerk's going to come on with her leg-spin.

  7. Nicky Shaw
    Ex-England all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

    These two are very good at playing spin. They didn't look too comfortable against the seamers.

  8. Eng 41-2

    The TMS box is briefly menaced by a pigeon - where's Henry Blofeld or Bill Lawry when you need them - as slow left-armer Mlaba returns to the attack. After an exchange of singles, Knight tries to use her feet and lofts one to long-on, but it reaches the fielder Laura Wolvaardt on the bounce.

  9. Amy Lofthouse
    BBC Sport at the Waca

    This is an outrageously good view. Grass banks should be a feature at all cricket grounds. Mind you, it might not work too well in England in the downpours...

    WacaBBC Sport

  10. Eng 38-2

    A couple more singles added - England need to get a move on.

  11. Alex Hartley
    England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    You see England are getting frustrated. They are bogged down.

  12. Eng 36-2

    Khaka again at the Lilllee-Marsh End. South Africa only have three fielders out rather than the permitted four as they look to keep England in check. Knight knocks a single to fine leg, but Sciver relieves the pressure a little as she whacks a low full toss for four back between bowler and non-striker.

  13. Alex Hartley
    England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    It's South Africa's powerplay.

  14. Amy Lofthouse
    BBC Sport at the Waca

    I'll have a pint, thanks.

    Water fountainBBC Sport

  15. Eng 31-2

    Sciver 1, Knight 1

    A shuffle in the field, Sciver on-drives and Shabnim Ismail slips over as she fields - no run. A wide advances the tally, but Kapp is drying up the England score by bowling dot balls - she has 1-11 from three overs as the powerplay ends.

  16. Eng 30-2

    Marizanne Kapp to continue with her third over - presuming they'll keep her fourth for the death overs? Natalie Sciver is off the mark with a single off her first ball, Knight slashes over the infield and they run one to third man.

  17. Alex Hartley
    England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    If it rains tomorrow and Australia are washed out, they could be close to being out of the competition already...

  18. Eng 28-2

    Right-armer Khaka finds her radar, Heather Knight shows her a straight bat, and England are a little becalmed after losing both openers in the space of four deliveries.

  19. Another of those Jones boundaries for you to watch...

  20. Alex Hartley
    England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    In T20 cricket, you do not want two new batters at the crease at the same time.