While England’s victory by 46 runs was their last group game, South Africa have a final match against West Indies on Tuesday (March 3) - victory would ensure they finish top and it will be England who meet India, already through as Group A winners.

The last semi-final place will be decided by tomorrow’s meeting at the Junction Oval in Melbourne between the hosts, who currently hold the second qualifying position in Group A, and New Zealand, who are level with them on four points but trail on net run rate.

Inspired by 20-year-old Laura Wolvaardt’s 53 not-out from 36 balls in her first innings in Australia, South Africa reached 136-2.

Marizanne Kapp added 31 for the Proteas, with Diana Baig taking 2-19 for Pakistan.

Aliya Riaz’s unbeaten 39 and a knock of 31 from Javeria Khan were not enough as Pakistan ended their 20 overs on 119-5.

"It really meant a lot to me,” Wolvaardt said to the ICC after the match.  

“It's probably the biggest contribution I've made to this team if I think about the importance of today and the World Cup.

"I've been itching to get going, but me not batting in the first two games is a good thing for the team.

"I'm not a natural big hitter, it's been quite a journey for me to get that spot in this T20 side, it's been something I've working really hard on.

"We have a lot of individual match-winners in the side, we've spoken a lot about bringing it all together. 

"The way we're going about our games is really amazing compared to the last World Cup."

Pakistan captain Javeria Khan added: "We’re disappointed in this game, it was a really good performance in the first 16 overs, but we lagged behind in the last four overs with the ball."

South Africa have won all three of their matches so far. 

In the other match, Nat Sciver’s 57 was the standout performance for England as they reached 143-5, with Danni Wyatt adding 29 runs.

It was Sciver’s third half-century of the tournament.

England’s spinners were exceptional in response, as Sarah Glenn and Mady Villiers both picked up wickets and Sophie Ecclestone led the way with three wickets for seven runs as West Indies were all out for 97 after 17.1 overs.

The Windies' chances dipped when captain Stafanie Taylor had to retire hurt after picking up an injury in the middle.

"I think all the girls knew how much of a big thing it was for everyone to be in the World Cup,” said Ecclestone, speaking about the reaction to England’s opening defeat to South Africa.

"I think everyone just trained a hit harder and was having a bit of a laugh and a joke because that’s when we're at our best, so everyone was really happy and ready to go for the next game.

"I think it was a bit of a wake-up call for us all to be like, right, we're in the World Cup now, we need to up our game, we did and I'm really glad how the girls have fought back.”

Both semi-finals will be played on March 5 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the final set for the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 8.