England reach Women's World Cup final after defeating South Africa with two balls to spare

Match scores (Bristol)

South Africa inns: 218-6 (50/50 overs. Du Preez 76 no, Wolvaardt 66)

England inns: 221-8 (49.4/50 overs. Taylor 54, Knight 30, Wilson 30, Gunn 27 no; Khaka 2-28)

Match report

England reached the Women's World Cup final by winning a nerve-shredding contest against South Africa with only two balls to spare.

Anya Shrubsole hit the decisive boundary to seal a two-wicket win for England, who were left needing two runs from the last three balls of a dramatic contest in Bristol.

South Africa had earlier set England a target of 219 to win after Laura Wolvaardt (66) and the unbeaten Mignon du Preez (76) had given the underdogs hope of a shock victory.

But Sarah Taylor set England on their way with 54 before Jenny Gunn (27 not out) and Shrubsole dragged their team over the line.

England will now face either Australia or India in the final at Lord's on Sunday.

England were unchanged from their victory over the West Indies while Chloe Tryon replaced Masabata Klaas for South Africa, who won the toss and elected to bat.

Wolvaardt opened the innings with a boundary but Lizelle Lee, having earned a reprieve for a successful lbw review, was the first wicket to fall as she was bowled by Shrubsole (one for 33).

Trisha Chetty was next to depart, stumped by Taylor for 15, and Wolvaardt almost followed suit but was dropped by Alex Hartley on 34.

Wolvaardt passed 50 while forging a strong partnership with Du Preez and it was not until the 32nd over that England managed another breakthrough as Wolvaardt was bowled by Heather Knight to leave South Africa 125 for three.

Their momentum was checked from then on and while Dane van Niekerk (27) and Sune Luus (21) made notable contributions alongside Du Preez, 218 always felt an achievable target.

England's response got off to a steady start too but Lauren Winfield (20) and Tammy Beaumont (15) were removed within four overs to give South Africa hope.

At 61 for two, however, Taylor and Knight held their nerve, the former making a crucial half-century before being run out by Van Niekerk and Knight scoring 30 before she was brilliantly caught by Wolvaardt.

Another quick wicket, this time Natalie Sciver bowled by Luus for three, set English nerves jangling but Fran Wilson (30) and Gunn (27no) edged the hosts closer to their total.

In between, Katherine Brunt was bowled by Moseline Daniels for 12 and when Wilson was eventually caught behind, Gunn and Laura Marsh were left needing three to win from the final over.

Gunn was dropped by Ismail first up before a single meant England needed two from four balls.

That became two from three when Marsh was clean bowled by Ismail but Shrubsole coolly stroked her first ball for four to seal a pulsating England victory.

Match reaction

England captain Heather Knight: "It was hard watching those last 10 overs from the balcony, but we are just absolutely delighted. We keep finding a way to win in this competition.

"Jenny Gunn had nerves of steel at the end. We put on a show for the crowd, and I would like to say we kept it that close to keep it interesting, but we didn't.

"Those close games are the best to win, but the worst to lose. Credit to South Africa, they bowled brilliantly on what was a very tired wicket. What a game of cricket.

"I am not the best watcher, so I was pretty nervous, but I trusted the girls out there and knew they could do their job and if we took it to the last few overs with not too many (runs to get), I knew we stood a good chance.

"The biggest prize was always going to be that final at Lord's, but it is something we have really enjoyed, putting on shows for the crowds, and with that tight game, what a spectacle it was," Knight added.

"It is great people are watching and coming to see us."

England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor: "It has been a long journey for all of us, but that was a little bit too tense," she said at the pitch-side presentation, broadcast on Sky Sports.

"It was not the most enjoyable experience (to watch from the balcony at the end), but we were up there and were still saying we could do this right until the end, we knew we had the depth in our batting and it was a great shot.

"Let's not do that again, but it was nice."

Taylor added: "We came into this tournament with no expectations really and to get through to the final is amazing. We could not be prouder of each other."

South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk: "We thought we were 30 (runs) short, but my team went out there believing. I am so proud of them and the way they went about it.

"I saw the score on the board and said it was going to be close, that anything can happen, but well done to Heather and her team. It was a great game of cricket and I hope the fans enjoyed it.

"We hope we made everyone proud. We needed some 'Madiba magic', but we didn't get it today. We had great support and a great run. I don't think a lot of people thought we would be here and it is a testament to the team we have here."