REACTION: Bailey hails Marsh heroics in Australia victory
Australia had suffered a humiliating three-wicket reverse at the hands of the host nation on Sunday, tumbling from first to fourth in the one-day international rankings as a result.
The loss also meant that only a win against South Africa would assure them of a place in Saturday's final.
Two days ago #CricketAus was an embarrassment. A win against South Africa & we're on track to win the World Cup. I love hyperbole. #SAvAUS
— Dan Ranson (@danranson_) September 2, 2014But it looked like potentially turning into another difficult day at the office in Harare on Tuesday until Mitchell Marsh (86 not out) hit 21 off Dale Steyn's (1-64) final over to give Australia a 282-7 total to defend.
Apart from Faf du Plessis (126), though, South Africa were short of big batting performances, and their slim chances of a successful chase appeared to be over when the top scorer inadvertently clipped the wicket with his own foot to end his impressive stint.
MORE: Cook concerned for England ahead of World Cup
That proved to be the case as Aaron Phangiso (three not out), Morne Morkel (zero) and Imran Tahir (two) could only muster six runs between them after Du Plessis' departure, with South Africa all out for 220 - six overs short of the 50.
Phillip Hughes (85) set the pace for Australia - without injured captain Michael Clarke - early on, partnering Aaron Finch (16), Steven Smith (36) and Glenn Maxwell (two), before being caught by David Miller to leave his side 4-152.
"We hope to peak in the final" - @CricketAus' George Bailey after beating @OfficialCSA in the Tri Series #SAvAus pic.twitter.com/gBoybQKzoA
— ICC (@ICC) September 2, 2014Marsh came in soon after to take up the mantle of chief run-scorer, and it was his late flurry that permitted Australia to breathe a little easier as South Africa stepped up to the crease.
Openers Quinton de Kock (one) and Hashim Amla (17) failed to lead by example - the latter falling victim to a superb diving catch from Brad Haddin.
Du Plessis' arrival should have inspired his team-mates to up their game, but the 30-year-old was out on his own as he hit eight boundaries and six maximums on his way to racking up 126 from 109 deliveries.
His supporting cast failed to deliver. Du Plessis saw five team-mates come and go with only one of them - Ryan McLaren (24) - surpassing the 20-run mark.
Du Plessis' mishap with little more than eight overs left to play effectively ended South Africa's chances, as Morkel and Tahir fell cheaply.
South Africa will now face Zimbabwe - over whom they hold a five-point advantage - in the final group stage fixture on Thursday.