Proteas tick crucial World Cup boxes ahead of SFs: 'It's how you finish, not how you start'

Laura Wolvaardt's 80 (79) and Mignon du Preez's 52* (63) will rightfully command headline space, but Lara Goodall's 49 (69) was equally important for the Proteas in their final-ball World Cup victory over India on Sunday. 

The Proteas entered their final group stage outing having already secured qualification for the tournament semi-finals, but without a win in two after losing to Australia before their clash against the West Indies was washed out, this was an opportunity to inject a dose of momentum back into their campaign before the business end of the competition. 

They did that by completing the second-highest successful run chase in World Cup history, and while Australia remain the overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy on 4 April, the Proteas have positioned themselves as genuine contenders. 

READ | SA's most dangerous weapon Wolvaardt leads the way at World Cup

One of the most encouraging aspects of the victory on Sunday for South Africans will surely be that, for the first time in the tournament, the Proteas had a batter at No 3 who took the game forward and contributed. 

That spot had been given to Tazmin Brits for the majority of the competition so far, but the former Olympic javelin thrower posted scores of 2, 23, 18 and 1 in her four efforts at No 3. 

Goodall, meanwhile, scored 12 and 15 batting there in her two previous appearances, but on Sunday she found her groove and was the perfect partner for Wolvaardt as the pair rotated strike superbly to put on 125 for the second wicket. 

"We know that we haven't clicked like we would have wanted, but we all knew that these players are just too good to not score," said Du Preez after the game, speaking specifically to the problematic No 3 position.

"We knew that their