Jill Roord has scored four goals at the 2023 Fifa Women's World CupThe Netherlands secured a quarter-final spot against Spain at the Fifa Women's World Cup but not before enduring several anxious moments against South Africa.
Jill Roord, Manchester City's new club record signing, nodded the Dutch ahead in the ninth minute but South Africa went close to equalising several times against the 2019 runners-up.
Banyana Banyana captain Thembi Kgatlana was once again a real handful and forced four fine saves from Daphne van Domselaar, Aston Villa's new goalkeeper, at Sydney Football Stadium.
Lineth Beerensteyn doubled the lead after a mistake by South Africa keeper Kaylin Swart in the second half.
The Netherlands will return to New Zealand to face Spain in Wellington next Friday (02:00 BST) for a place in the semi-finals.
However, they will be without midfielder Danielle van de Donk who picked up a second yellow card and is suspended.
Another lightning start
The Dutch are two wins from reaching back-to-back finals after another lightning start to a game at this tournament.
Roord's early header, after Lieke Martens had been denied by a clearance off the line, was the sixth time they have scored inside 20 minutes.
Their second goal was a gift, Swart allowing a seemingly routine shot by the recalled Beerensteyn to slip through her grasp and into the net.
It was a horrible moment for the keeper but it secured the Dutch their third win of the tournament.
They have had a near-perfect World Cup so far and were only denied victory over four-time world champions the United States by Lindsey Horan's equaliser.
Andries Jonker, the former assistant to Louis van Gaal at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, has been tasked with going one step further than the last World Cup when Sarina Wiegman's side were defeated 2-0 by the United States in France.
They head into the quarter-finals in fine form and with Spain in their sights.
The Netherlands became the 10th team to record 10 wins in the history of the Fifa Women's World Cup, only the USA and Norway (12 games) reached that tally quicker than the Netherlands (15 games)South Africa bow out with heads high
Banyana Banyana are heading home but they have certainly left an impression at this World Cup.
Their players have brought joy with their dancing and singing before and after games, while on the pitch their exciting fast-paced attacking play has entertained fans.
And all this despite a dispute with their national association. South Africa's players will receive $50,000 each from Fifa for reaching the last 16, but nothing from the South Africa Football Association (SAFA).
Despite this, they have been a joy to watch with their late win over Italy in their final group game sending them into the knockout stage for the first time.
South Africa went toe-to-toe with the Netherlands despite losing Jermaine Seoposenwe and Bambanani Mbane to injury before half-time.
South Africa had five shots on target in the first half, with Daphne van Domselaar saving all of themThe impressive Kgatlana has caused huge problems with her pace at this World Cup, scoring two and assisting another two goals, and she was once again dangerous against the Dutch.
The 27-year-old had five of South Africa's seven attempts on target in this match but found herself frustrated by Van Domselaar.
Will Banyana Banyana be back in 2027?
South Africa are aiming to host the next Women's World Cup. They have certainly entertained at the 2023 edition and they will be missed.
Player of the match
RoordJill Roord
Netherlands
Squad number6Player nameRoord
Squad number10Player namevan de Donk
Squad number17Player namePelova
Squad number20Player nameJanssen
Squad number11Player nameMartens
Squad number1Player namevan Domselaar
Squad number7Player nameBeerensteyn
Squad number22Player nameBrugts
Squad number14Player nameGroenen
Squad number3Player namevan der Gragt
Squad number18Player nameCasparij
Squad number21Player nameEgurrola
Squad number12Player nameBaijings
Squad number9Player nameSnoeijs
Squad number8Player nameSpitse
Squad number2Player nameWilms
South Africa
Squad number11Player nameKgatlana
Squad number23Player nameShongwe
Squad number4Player nameMatlou
Squad number2Player nameRamalepe
Squad number13Player nameMbane
Squad number1Player nameSwart
Squad number6Player nameCesane
Squad number14Player nameMakhubela
Squad number17Player nameKgadiete
Squad number8Player nameMagaia
Squad number10Player nameMotlhalo
Squad number7Player nameDhlamini
Squad number12Player nameSeoposenwe
Squad number19Player nameBiyana
Squad number3Player nameGamede
Line-ups
Netherlands
Formation 3-1-4-2
1van Domselaar
8Spitse3van der Gragt20Janssen
14Groenen
17Pelova6Roord10van de Donk22Brugts
7Beerensteyn11Martens
1van Domselaar8Spitse3van der Gragt20Janssen14Groenen17PelovaSubstituted forWilmsat 89'minutes6RoordSubstituted forSnoeijsat 90+3'minutes10van de DonkBooked at 67minsSubstituted forEgurrolaat 76'minutes22BrugtsSubstituted forCasparijat 89'minutes7Beerensteyn11MartensSubstituted forBaijingsat 90+3'minutesSubstitutes
2Wilms4Nouwen5van Dongen9Snoeijs12Baijings13Jansen15Dijkstra16Kop18Casparij19Kaptein21Egurrola23WeimarSouth Africa
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Swart
2Ramalepe13Mbane4Matlou7Dhlamini
3Gamede19Biyana
12Seoposenwe10Motlhalo8Magaia
11Kgatlana
1Swart2Ramalepe13MbaneSubstituted forMakhubelaat 42'minutes4Matlou7Dhlamini3Gamede19Biyana12SeoposenweSubstituted forShongweat 30'minutes10MotlhaloSubstituted forKgadieteat 90+2'minutes8MagaiaSubstituted forCesaneat 90+2'minutes11KgatlanaSubstitutes
5Magama6Cesane9Salgado14Makhubela16Dlamini17Kgadiete18Holweni21Moletsane22Kgoale23ShongweReferee:Yoshimi YamashitaAttendance:40,233Live Text
Match ends, Netherlands 2, South Africa 0.
Second Half ends, Netherlands 2, South Africa 0.
Hand ball by Jackie Groenen (Netherlands).
Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Daphne van Domselaar.
Attempt saved. Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tiisetso Makhubela.
Substitution, Netherlands. Jill Baijings replaces Lieke Martens.
Substitution, Netherlands. Katja Snoeijs replaces Jill Roord.
Substitution, South Africa. Noxolo Cesane replaces Hildah Magaia.
Substitution, South Africa. Melinda Kgadiete replaces Linda Motlhalo.
Attempt missed. Kholosa Biyana (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Bongeka Gamede.
Kerstin Casparij (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa).
Substitution, Netherlands. Lynn Wilms replaces Victoria Pelova.
Substitution, Netherlands. Kerstin Casparij replaces Esmee Brugts.
Lineth Beerensteyn (Netherlands) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Kholosa Biyana (South Africa).
Attempt missed. Jill Roord (Netherlands) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Lineth Beerensteyn.
Lineth Beerensteyn (Netherlands) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Lebohang Ramalepe (South Africa).
Jackie Groenen (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
