Calcutta: Australia opener Cameron Bancroft scored a half-century to help Australia beat South Africa by four wickets and seal a berth in the final of the U-19 World Cup at the Tony Ireland Stadium, on Tuesday.

Australia overcame a late charge by South Africa to achieve the target of 192 with nine balls to spare.

Bancroft scored a fine 66, besides featuring in a match-winning 95-run third wicket partnership with Kurtis Patterson (46), after the defending champions had slipped to 3 for two in two overs in their run-chase.

Australia will take on the winner of the other semi-final between India and New Zealand, in the final, which is scheduled to be played Sunday.

The loser of Thursday’s semi-final match will meet South Africa for the third-fourth position play-off on Saturday.

Australia, who are bidding to become only the second side after Pakistan to win back-to-back titles, made a good start after captain Will Bosisto won the toss and elected to bowl in overcast conditions here.

Joel Paris and Mark Steketee both struck early with the new ball to remove South Africa’s in-form Quinton de Kock (1) and Gihahn Cloete (0).

Steketee returned for his second spell and took the crucial wicket of Proteas captain Chad Bowes (46), who had struck up a handy partnership of 88 with Murray Coetzee.

Coetzee (50) went on to make his second half-century of the tournament before he was run-out from a direct hit by Ashton Turner.

Gurinder Sandhu maintained a good line and length, ending with the impressive figures of two for 23 from 10 overs, featuring three maidens.