The home side had elected to bat after winning the toss at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, and with Jonathan Bird contributing 34 runs they reached a total of 154 all out from 39.3 of the allotted 50 overs.

The performance of Afghanistan bowler Shafiqullah Ghafari, who took three for 15 in eight overs, earned him the man of the match award.

In response, Afghanistan – who lost the third-place match to Pakistan at the last version of this tournament in New Zealand two years ago – reached 158 for five in 40.2 overs to earn victory by five wickets.

Odirile Modimokoane was the most effective South African bowler, taking two for 37 in 10 overs.

After today's defeat, South Africa will have to settle for finishing three places lower in the final order than they did in 2018.

Tomorrow will see New Zealand and Bangladesh meet at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom to contest the right to meet the defending champions, India in the final, which will be played at the same venue on Sunday (February 9).

The final will be preceded by the fifth-place play-off on Friday between West Indies and Australia, and Saturday’s third-place play-off between Pakistan, spectacularly defeated in yesterday’s semi-final, and the losers of tomorrow's second semi-final.