One foot in the door - PROTEAS HOLD OFF ENGLAND CHARGE TO REMAIN UNBEATEN

Opener De Kock carved out another savage half-century as the bowlers staved off a middle-order fight.

- Wesley Botton

Producing a superb all-round effort, the Proteas delivered again last night, putting one foot in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup by clinching a seven-run victory over defending champions England.

Quinton de Kock shone with the bat, hitting his second successive half-century and paving the way as the SA team remained unbeaten in six matches at the tournament, climbing to the top of their Super 8 group.

Chasing 164 runs to win, England struggled to get going, and while their middle-order launched a late fight (led by Harry Brook who made 53 runs) the Proteas attack combined well to keep up the pressure as the title holders were restricted to 156/6.