South Africa trumped Richa Ghosh's vibrant 94 through collective combativeness of Laura Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk to eke out a thrilling three-wicket win over India in the Women's World Cup here on Thursday. Skipper Wolvaardt (70), Chloe Tryon (49) and Nadine de Klerk (84 not out, 54 balls) played lead roles as South Africa overhauled India's 251, and rose to fourth position on the table.

They ended up at 252 for seven in 48.5 overs. Once half of South Africa's batting unit returned to the hut with less than 100 on the board, their chase appeared to have been doomed. Pacer Kranti Gaud's stunning return catch to dismiss opener Tazmin Brits for a naught, triggered SA's slide. Veterans Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Anneke Bosch and Sinalo Jafta did not last long in the middle, as South Africa slid to 81 for five. Wolvaardt added 51 runs for the sixth wicket with Chloe Tryon to steady the ship. She essayed some archetypal drives to reach her fifty in 81 balls, however, Gaud returned to snap the alliance with a searing yorker that crashed through Wolvaardt's defence. The Proteas were 142 for six then, and still 110 runs away from the target.