After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, the Momentum Proteas set England a target of 165 runs after posting 164-4 in their allotted 20 overs.

Player of the match and Momentum Proteas top scorer Tazmin Brits was the difference between the two sides as she scored 68 runs from 55 balls in her opening partnership with Laura Wolvaardt who scored 53 runs from 44 balls before being dismissed by Sophie Ecclestone in the 13th over.

Brits sealed her half-century during an 18-run 15th over from Sarah Glenn (0-34) as she belted the leg-spinner for two towering sixes and a four.

Brits then holed out at long-on off Lauren Bell in the 18th over, while Ecclestone had Chloe Tryon on 3 runs caught at midwicket, and Nadine de Klerk was bowled out for a duck attempting a leg-side heave however, the damage had already been done as the hosts ended their innings with Marizanne Kapp not out on 27 runs and captain Sune Luus on 3 runs respectively.

In reply England were cruising at 132-3 in the 16th over before Nat Sciver-Brunt's dismissal for 40 through the bowling of Nadine de Klerk sparked a collapse of five wickets for 26 runs in 22 balls for the English side.

With 13 runs needed from the final over, Shabnim Ismail held her nerve to bowl England captain Heather Knight for 31 and seal a thrilling victory in front of a packed Cape Town crowd.

It was a joyous moment for the South African side who become the first senior cricket team to advance to the T20 World Cup in the history of South African men's and women's cricket teams.

The Proteas will now face defending champions Australia in the final at Newlands Cricket Ground on Sunday afternoon hoping to disappoint the three time champions and win their maiden T20 Cricket World Cup title.