South Africa have shot themselves in the foot with two games remaining in their Super League schedule as they’ve been docked one point for maintaining a slow over-rate in the third ODI against England. 

At the Diamond Oval in Kimberley, the Proteas missed a golden opportunity to collect 10 valuable Super League points, losing the contest by 59 runs, but insult has now been added to the injury as they’ve lost one point. 

This takes their points tally to 78, something that will delight both Sri Lanka (77) and Ireland (68), both of whom are gunning for the eighth and final automatic qualification spot.

“Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after South Africa were ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration,” the ICC said in a statement.

“In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. 

“In addition, as per Article 16.12.2 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League Playing Conditions, a side is penalized one point for each over short. Consequently, South Africa will lose one point from their points tally in the Super League standings.”

The Proteas have two ODIs remaining against the Netherlands in their Super League schedule. A 2-0 win will take them to 98 points, but should Ireland beat Bangladesh 3-0, it’ll then come down to NRR. As things stand, Ireland’s NRR (- 0.382) is better than that of South Africa’s (- 0.410). 

Avoiding the over-rate penalty would have meant that it would not have been possible for Ireland to finish above South Africa in the case of the latter beating the Netherlands 2-0.

However, should Sri Lanka beat New Zealand 3-0, they will take the eighth and final spot, by moving to 107 points.