England edge South Africa thriller to reach semis
England's netball team secured a spot in the Commonwealth Games semi-finals after a narrow 58-54 victory over South Africa. The team will face New Zealand in the next round following a strong defensive performance.
Why it matters
This victory maintains England's consistent record of reaching the semi-finals in every Commonwealth Games since the sport's inclusion in 1998.
England's netballers reached the Commonwealth Games semi-finals after producing a pulsating comeback to beat South Africa 58-54.
With both sides tied on six points but the Roses ahead of the Proteas on goal average in pool A's second spot going into the game, England had to avoid defeat to progress.
Elmere van der Berg was in fine form early on to fire South Africa into a six-goal lead at the end of the first quarter with 16 of her nation's 17 goals, leaving England facing an uphill task.
But some excellent and aggressive defensive work by second-quarter substitute Halimat Adio helped England spring multiple counter-attacks to claw their way back to just 29-28 down at the halfway stage.
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