The Momentum Proteas sealed a T20 World Cup semi-final spot in front of a packed and enthusiastic Newlands crowd cheering them on.

After Sri Lanka stunned the hosts in that opening encounter, every game from there on out was crucial and essentially a “must-win” game. The Proteas Women came into this game with the equation as simple as it could get, “just win” and they book a semi-final spot.

The skipper reflected on the support and the packed stadium, “It is the first one in South Africa. Newlands was packed tonight. Hopefully, it will be for Friday’s game as well. It is a massive honour. It is an incredible feeling. We will go home and soak it in. Newlands has been amazing tonight and hopefully, everyone is here on Friday.”

Albeit a slow and nervy start by the openers, they shared in a 100-run partnership as South Africa was victorious over Bangladesh by 10 wickets.

A Proteas team in a run-chase in a must-win game is not for the faint-hearted. In the end, what matters is the win that secured their semi-final spot on home soil. They face off against England on Friday at 15:00 (SAST). If you haven’t been part of it, you’d absolutely want to #TurnItUp and #BeApartOfIt

When I tell you the nerves were sky high you best believe it with the shaky start and panicking upfront, trying to steal risky singles. But Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, who both scored unbeaten half-centuries, were there at the end to see their team home. They struggled in the first half of the innings as they got off to a circumspect start with 26-0 in the powerplay.

It was pretty neck and neck, as the Proteas reached the halfway stage on 43-0, not really that far ahead of where their opponents were at the same stage.

Bangladesh bowlers made life tough for the openers but were not supported in the field with dropped catches and missed run-out chances. They found their gear and started to time the ball better and boundaries started to flow as they edged closer to Bangladesh’s total.

South Africa was brilliant with the ball upfront when Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail struck inside the powerplay, to restrict them to 22-2. It was steady but slow going for Bangladesh who was 41-2 at the halfway stage.

The bowlers picked wickets at regular intervals unsettling Bangladesh as they couldn’t stabilise their innings.

The fielding was sloppy toward the back end as Bangladesh posted 113-6 in their 20-over allotment.