By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa have qualified for the ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights ahead of their match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Proteas with a net run-rate of 1.477 after three matches, made it to the next stage after Afghanistan beat the UAE by five wickets at the Arjun Jaitley Stadium on Monday morning.
They have so far beaten Canada, Afghanistan and New Zealand and have one pool game remaining before the next phase.
They will face the UAE with the first ball to be bowled at 7.30am SA time.
Afghanistan will need a big win in their last group match against Canada on Thursday and other results to go their way if they are to edge out New Zealand from second place in Group C. The latter can seal their spot and eliminate Afghanistan with a win against Canada on Tuesday in Chennai.
With the teams pre-seeded before the start of the tournament, the Proteas will play in a Super Eight group with hosts India, Australia and the West Indies, should they all advance.
India and the West Indies have both qualified already, while Australia, after going down to Zimbabwe in pool play last week, could be dumped out if things go against them, but they still have two pool matches to play – against Sri Lanka in Balagolla later on Monday and against Oman. England, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the four teams in line to make up the other Super Eight group.