Meanwhile, Japan and Korea were also winners in the 13-16 positions classification matches, seeing off respective challenges from Egypt and Canada.

South Africa produced their most complete performance of the competition so far to defeat Austria 4-2, ensuring that they were now guaranteed their best ever finishing position at a Junior World Cup.

At worst, South Africa will finish 10th, bettering their previous highest finish of 11th, which was achieved at the 2001 event in Hobart in Australia.

They did not have it all their own way though as Austria took the lead with a stunning solo goal courtesy of Franz Lindengrun.

South Africa levelled through strikes from Matthew de Sousa and Courtney Halle to lead at half time. 

Ryan Crowe made it 3-1 before Leon Thörnblom cut South Africa’s lead to just one goal with 10 minutes remaining.

However, a late field goal from Nqobile Ntuli put the result beyond all doubt.

South Africa’s opponents in the 9-10 classification match will be New Zealand, who claimed a 3-1 win over Malaysia to force their opponents into the 11-12 play-off game with the Austrians.

Oliver Logan’s opener for New Zealand was cancelled out by a penalty corner rocket from Malaysia’s Firdaus Omar, but second half goals from man-of-the-match Robbie Capizzi and Sam Lane moved the junior Black Sticks into a lead that they would not relinquish.

In the 13-16 play-offs, a moment of inventiveness from Koji Yamasaki gave Japan a 1-0 over Egypt.

The winning strike arrived six minutes after half time, with Yamasaki getting a killer touch on pass from the right of the circle, guiding the ball behind his body to deceive Egyptian goalkeeper Ahmed Adel.

Egypt hit the frame of the Japanese goal in the latter stages of the match, but Japan held on to seal a place in the 13-14 classification game where they will face South Korea in an all Asian affair.

The Koreans defeated Canada 2-1.

All the goals came in the first half, with a Park Joohan penalty corner arriving ahead of an Oh Seyong field goal before Canadian captain Brandon Pereira struck from a penalty corner to keep his side within touching distance.

Canada threw caution to the wind in the dying stages by replacing their goalkeeper with an outfield player, but it was not enough to save them from defeat.

Tomorrow (December 15) is quarter-final day in Lucknow with Belgium taking on Argentina before reigning champions Germany face England.

Australia play the Netherlands with host nation India doing battle with Spain for a place in the semi-finals.