The Netherlands eliminated South Africa from the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday with a stunning 13-point win in Adelaide that also propelled India to the semi-finals.
The latest in a series of surprises at this tournament left Bangladesh and Pakistan in the last position in the bottom four.
Top India has six problems and will face Zimbabwe in Melbourne in the final meeting of the three-seeded team on Sunday, which will result in the final Super 12 qualification and face who in the semifinals.
Chasing 159 for victory after 41 unbeaten form boy Colin Ackerguyn, South Africa faltered to finish 145-8, with Dutch speed thrower Brandon Glover delivering 3-9 figures on two overs.
“Hard to swallow. We had the confidence in ourselves as a unit to reach the play-offs,” South African captain Temba Bavuma said.
“Unfortunately for us, we couldn’t do that. Winning the draw and bowling, what they were given was not ideal.
“We lost ground at times. They used the dimensions of the field much more than we did. “
South Africa reacted on a nervous note with starters Quinton de Kock and Bavuma six inside overs with a score of 39.
Kock’s left-hander connected on a 4-six but temporarily knocked down Fred Klaassen, by 13, and Bavuma was introduced through Paul van Meekeren for 20.
But it was Rilee Rossouk’s Glover wicket that raised Dutch hopes with the hitter, who scored the first century in this tournament and left after a 25 of 19 balls.
The Proteas never looked convincing when Klaassen beat Aiden Markram by 17 and a Dutch surprise began to turn into truth when Glover struck twice in a row.
He fired the damaging David Miller for 17 years, then had Wayne Parnell for nothing when the wheels came off the chase in South Africa, and with it his World Cup hopes.
He struck first, the Dutchman, who had only beaten Zimbabwe in the Super 12, strong with Stephan Myburgh’s 37, but lost his way. But then came Ackermann.
He broke 3 fours and two sixes on his 26-ball shot and, along with captain Scott Edwards, helped the team to 31 problems in the final two overs.
“I have no more words,” Edwards said after the Dutchman managed to stun him.
“It’s up there, another great wonder for Holland in a World Cup. “
Ackermann added: “It’s fantastic, we deserve this win.
“The guys worked really hard. Going in and going deep, and the barriers have flowed in the end. “