Cricket World Cup: England on brink after South Africa defeat

England's hopes of defending the Women's World Cup are hanging by a thread after they were beaten by South Africa.

With three defeats from as many games, England are not yet eliminated, but will need to win all of their remaining four matches to reach the semi-finals.

England were once again plagued by missed chances in the field, as they were taken to 235-9 by half-centuries from Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones.

Laura made 77 with three dropped catches and a missed stumping.

Marizanne Kapp, who earlier took 5-45, inched South Africa closer in the face of some magical bowling.

In the last over, Kapp was out for 32, leaving the Proteas four to get from the final set.

South Africa won the World Cup for the first time in 22 years when Shabnim Ismail swung NatSciver over the leg side.

England play India at the same venue on Wednesday, when another defeat will end their campaign.

Bangladesh earned their first World Cup win in a nine-run victory over Pakistan.

England edged out again

England paid for their mistakes in close losses to Australia and the West Indies. The defeat at the Bay Oval was more painful because of the mistakes made.

The top of the order did not see an improvement after Lauren Winfield-Hill was replaced by Danni Wyatt. When Heather Knight tried to play on off the same bowler, England were 42-3.

Even their dismissals - Jones run out by Sophia Dunkley's poor call and Beaumont playing across the line - were unnecessary.

England scrapped to a total they could have defended, only for chance after chance to go begging in the field.

Kate Cross reprieved the same batter off her own bowling on 23 and ran back to mid-off on 62, after she was dropped at point on four. Jones missed a simple stumping.

England had a trump card in left-arm spinner Ecclestone, who took 1-23 on the worn pitch.

South Africa left 11 needed from two after her final over. When Kapp was pinned by Shrubsole in the 49th, there was hope, but she could not hold her line in the final set.

England are the first one-day World Cup holders to lose their first three games, and they are on the verge of exiting the tournament.

All-round Kapp wins it for Proteas

South Africa are on track for the semis after their third win from as many games, with this one coming thanks to the all-round display of the brilliant Kapp.

The seamer used clever variations at the death for the first five-wicket haul of the tournament. She threw for the run-out of Jones.

The elegant Wolvaardt took advantage of England's errors to add 56 with Tazmin Brits and 67 with captain Sune Luus.

Kapp and Tryon put on 30 for the sixth-fastest partnership in South Africa's history.

After Tryon was run out, Kapp hit a six off a full toss from Brunt in the 46th over.

She had done enough for South Africa to pull off their highest successful chase in a World Cup match.

'We have made history today' - what they said

Sune Luus, captain of South Africa, said that nothing is going to change the fact that they have made history. Everyone in South Africa is very proud of us and we can also be proud of ourselves.

It puts us in a tough position. Losing three close games in a row is painful.

We shot ourselves in the foot with our fielding. You cannot give a player like Laura Wolvaardt many chances because she will make you pay.