Proteas hold their nerve against Brook onslaught, inch closer to T20 World Cup semis

The Proteas once again held their nerve to seal a seven-run victory against England in their second T20 World Cup Super Eight encounter at Gros Islet in St Lucia.

South Africa remains unbeaten in the T20 World Cup and inch closer to a semi-final berth as they take on hosts West Indies in their final group game on Wednesday (02:30 SA time).

Quinton de Kock's back-to-back T20 half-century eclipsed Harry Brook's late blitz as the Proteas top Group 2.

Chasing 164 runs to win, England opener Phil Salt, who came off an 87* against the Windies, didn't last long as he tried to clear Kagiso Rabda over cover only for Reeza Hendricks to take a stellar diving two-handed catch to remove him for 11.

Jonny Bairstow (16), who was dropped on nine off Rabada, didn't make use of his lifeline as he tried to cut Keshav Maharaj but found Anrich Nortje at backward point.

Maharaj then took his second wicket as England captain Jos Buttler (17) went down on one knee and swept it straight to the fielder on the boundary rope. The game moved slightly to SA's corner when Ottniel Baartman removed Moeen Ali (9) to leave England struggling on 61/4 after 10.2 overs.

England desperately needed a partnership and a 78-run stand between Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone brought them back into the game.

The tide of the match turned in the 17th over as Baartman, who bowled five full tosses, went for 21 runs as both Brook and Livingstone took advantage.

Although Livingstone was caught off Rabada for 33 in the next over, the game was firmly in England's grasp with Brook still at the other end.

Brook brought up his first T20 World Cup fifty off 34 balls and looked set to take England to victory.

Needing 14 runs in the final over, Nortje had Brooks brilliantly caught by