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South Africa becomes the second African team to join Nigeria in the second round of the Women's World Cup after defeating Italy.
The Banyana Banyana clinched a Round of 16 spot by defeating Italy 3-2 in their third game of the group stage.
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Italy opened the scoring in the early minutes of the first half from the penalty spot which was converted by Arianna Caruso but South Africa fought back and got the equalizer from an own goal made by the Italian player Benedetta Orsi.
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In the Second half, the African team took the lead through Hildah Magaia but their lead was cut short a few minutes later from an Arianna Caruso equalizer making it her second goal of the game.
South Africa needed a win to get through to the next round and got the winning goal in injury time from Thembi Kgatlana.
As it Happened
South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis played a 4-2-3-1 formation with Thembi Kgatlana leading the attack while Italy head coach Milena Bertolini also used a 4-2-3-1 with Valentina Giacinti playing in attack.
The opening goal was let up by the Banyana Banyana in the eleventh minute after a jittery start to the game. Karabo Dhlamini caught the heels of teen Chiara Beccari, resulting in an Italy penalty.
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A free-kick was given by referee Maria Carvajal, but a quick video assistant referee intervention determined the foul had been committed inside the penalty area.
Caruso calmly made the conversion from the penalty spot to give Italy control over their World Cup destiny.
South Africa was awarded an equaliser as the game progressed when Benedetta Orsi, participating in her first World Cup match, played a no-look-back pass to an unsuspecting Francesca Durante that rolled into her net.
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The African team went on to take the lead when Kgatlana's deft, passed through the Italy defence, allowing Hildah Magaia to get through on goal, and she lifted the ball over Durante to give Desiree Ellis' team an immediate advantage.
Italy got an equaliser when from a corner through Caruso, however, it appeared like VAR might have saved South Africa, but after a protracted review, the goal was upheld.
Italy's hearts were shattered in injury time when Magaia moved past the defence and squared the ball to Kgatlana, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
As the referee blew the final whistle, the whole stadium erupted with joy as the South African celebrated their qualification.
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It's all joy for the African continent, seeing two African teams Nigeria and South Africa qualify for the Round of 16.
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