South Africa still has a chance to make Super Six stage of World Cup

South Africa has been given a lifeline after the West Indies match was washed out in Benoni as a no-result. With West Indies only securing two points from the match, South Africa has been given a further option of squeezing their way into the Super Six stage.

South Africa has to win all their remaining games with a further loss sure to see them exit the tournament in round one. The scenario is also based on no further games being washed out by rain. By winning the remaining games South Africa will end on 16 points. Any loss will see 15 players and a nation into further rain dances.

New Zealand, who have completed their matches against the "stronger" teams in the group are going to lose four points for their decision not to go to Kenya and should, on present form, also end on 16 points.

West Indies, by winning all their remaining games will end on 18 points, which makes the game against Sri Lanka vital for them to progress to the second round. A loss against Sri Lanka will see them end on 14 points.

Sri Lanka holds the key to the group. By beating West Indies and South Africa they will top the group unbeaten on 24 points. Losses to both the teams will see them also finish on 16 points. Net run-rate will then decide the two teams to progress to the second round with West Indies.

The following points position are possible accepting that New Zealand will win all their remaining games.

Sri Lanka wins all their games the points will be:
Sri Lanka 24, New Zealand 16, West Indies 14, South Africa 12.

Sri Lanka beats West Indies, loses to South Africa:
Sri Lanka 20, New Zealand 16, South Africa 16, West Indies 14.

Sri Lanka beats South Africa, loses to West Indies:
Sri Lanka 20, West Indies 18, New Zealand 16, South Africa 12.

Sri Lanka loses to South Africa and West Indies:
West Indies 18, Sri Lanka 16, New Zealand 16, South Africa 16.
With two of the three teams on equal points qualifying on net run-rates.

For South Africa then it is imperative that they win all their remaining games well (to up their net run-rate) and that Sri Lanka beats West Indies on the 28th February at Newlands.