Antigua: On Monday, the Proteas won their ICC T20 World Cup semifinal spot by narrowly defeating the West Indies by three wickets using the DLS method.

Sent into bat first at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, the Windies posted 135/8 wickets in their 20 overs. A watchful Roston Chase top-scored with 52 off 42 balls, with some support from Kyle Mayers’ contribution of 35. Openers Shai Hope 0 and Brandon King 7 fell early, leaving the Windies on the back foot, but a crucial 81-run stand between Chase and Mayers set things right.

The spoils were shared by South Africa’s attack. Tabraiz Shamsi returned figures of 3/27, the best on the day, while Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Keshav Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada all struck once.

Despite the rain interrupting South Africa’s chase, the team revised the target to 123 in 17 overs by the DLS method. The South Africans, led by Tristan Stubbs and Heinrich Klaasen, held their nerve and crossed the finish line with three balls to spare despite losing seven wickets.

Tristan Stubbs laid the platform at the top with Heinrich Klaasen, who scored 29 and 22, respectively, but Marco Jansen’s unbeaten 21 took the side over the line. Captain Aiden Markram, with 18, and Quinton de Kock, with 12, contributed handily.

Roston Chase continued his fine form for the Windies and scalped three, while Andre Russell and Alzarri Joseph rutted two each. Their bowling attack, though, needed to defend the revised target under pressure.

With this victory, South Africa joins group leaders England in the semifinals. The Host country’s Windies and the USA, who also failed to win a match, are eliminated from the tournament.