India, March 1 -- Putting up a superb fielding show to back a strong bowling display, South Africa extended England's woes and confirmed top spot in Group B of the Champions Trophy with a seven-wicket win at Karachi's National Stadium on Saturday.

The doughty Afghanistan team's faint hopes of making it to the semi-final had depended on England handing South Africa a real thrashing, but to the disappointment of their fans, a poor batting display by England extinguished their hopes of making the semis by the half-way stage of the game.

Due to their poor net run rate of -0.99, Afghanistan needed South Africa to lose by at least 207 runs (chasing 301) to move up to second place. The England batters though flopped, dismissed for 179 in 39.2 ...