Tahlia McGrath's blistering 57 completed Australia's perfect run through the group stages of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2023, as they beat hosts South Africa by six wickets to qualify for the tournament's semi-finals, here.
Coming to the crease with the defending champions under a little bit of pressure, chasing South Africa's 124 for six, McGrath showed no nerves, adding 81 runs with Ashleigh Gardner to push them to the brink.
While McGrath did fall at the end, the job was done by then, and Australia cruised to a comfortable victory on Saturday night.
Australia won four of four games to finish first in Group 1, and will now await the results of the final games in Group 2 to determine their semi-final opponent.
Meanwhile, South Africa started both innings strongly in this one, only to fade away, and now face a must-win match against Bangladesh, while hoping New Zealand beats Sri Lanka and finishes first in the three-way tie on net run-rate.
South Africa made a flying start after being put in to bat, with Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt putting on 54 runs at a run-a-ball for the first wicket.
Ellyse Perry eventually had Wolvaardt caught behind for 19 by Beth Mooney, who was filling in for the injured Alyssa Healy. Marizanne Kapp was next out for a duck before Georgia Wareham got the big one, clean bowling the Brits for 45 and adding Chloe Tryon in the same over as South Africa suddenly found themselves 77 for four.
Delmi Tucker was removed for seven by Megan Schutt as the boundaries dried up, necessitating a rebuild.
Nadine de Klerk finally did the honours after more than eight overs without finding the ropes, smashing Schutt for a maximum over long-on before Sune Luus added a four in the final over.
Gardner bowled the skipper for 20, and De Klerk finished on 14 not out as they were forced to settle for 124 for six after such a promising start. That wasn't enough against this Australia team, even though Kapp had Perry caught at slip by Tryon for 11 before Nonkululeko Mlaba bowled Meg Lanning around her legs for one in the sixth over.
When Kapp took out Mooney in front for 20, Australia was 40 for three and beginning to falter. However, batting depth is a hallmark of this Australian team, and McGrath and Gardner settled in before consecutive boundaries from the former in the tenth over demonstrated their intent to pick up the pace.
The fours kept coming after that, and the target became easier and easier to reach, with McGrath reaching her half-century in just 29 balls.
Three more boundaries from Mlaba brought Australia within striking distance, and while she was caught by Wolvaardt trying to finish the job, Grace Harris came in to smash the winning boundary with three and a half overs to spare.
Brief scores: South Africa 124/6 in 20 overs (Tazmin Brits 45, Sune Luus 20; Georgia Wareham 2-18) lost to Australia 125/4 in 16.3 overs (Tahlia McGrath 57, Ashleigh Gardner 28 not out; Marizanne Kapp 2-21) by six wickets.