Kapp to Grace Harris, no run, short of a good length and swinging away from wide of off, Harris had a dab at that and is beaten on the outside edge

Grace Harris and Mooney are at the crease. Grace Harris is on strike. Kapp will open the attack

The formalities are done and the players are out in the middle. Laura Wolvaart has plenty of words to say in the huddle, pace to start and it's Marizanne Kapp

It's time for the national anthems as the players and the match officials make their way out to the middle.

We've made no changes to the pre-toss XI in our expert picks. Have a look at our fantasy picks before you lock in yours

Phobe Litchfield - It's been very exciting, lots of fun with some awesome crowds here in Dubai. As you grow up, you become stronger and it's that part of the area I have worked on. You need to be strong to be in the selection framework, hitting sixes doesn't come naturally for me, but I've watched the girls do it and I'm working hard on my power game in the nets. First WC, the girls are professionals and they take each game by itself. I have learnt a lot just by watching them, we don't think too much about making records. 

63m and 57m square boundaries, the straight boundary is 73m. There are more runs on offer here, the colour is lighter and there is not a lot of grass. Swing could be the key here, the fast bowlers will get something off the surface, variation for the spinners will be crucial. Early wickets would be the key with Mlazba being the key for South Africa, reckon Sana Mir and Pommie Mbangwa, in the pitch report

Teams:

Australia Women (Playing XI): Grace Harris, Beth Mooney(w), Tahlia McGrath(c), Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown

Tahlia McGrath - Looks like a nice wicket, quick outfield and runs on the board could be very useful in a  knockout game. We're playing the same side that played against India. Nothing changes tonight, we'll have to go out and execute our plans

South Africa Women (Playing XI): Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Sune Luus, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta(w), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka

Tahlia McGrath - Looks like a nice wicket, quick outfield and runs on the board could be very useful in a  knockout game. We're playing the same side that played against India. Nothing changes tonight, we'll have to go out and execute our plans

Laura Wolvaardt - We will field first.

South Africa Women have won the toss and have opted to field

Tahlia McGrath has walked out for the toss, so still no Healy.

As we await the toss, here's Purnima Malhotra in a lovely chat with Tanzim Brits, the South African opener.

Unlike Australia, South Africa have taken the tougher road to the semis. They started with a convincing 10-wicket win over South Africa, but they then stumbled to a loss against England. Two big wins followed, against Bangladesh and Scotland, wins that helped them get to a decent position in terms of net run-rate, which was eventually good enough to pip England. Unlike Australia, they do have a full squad to pick from and they'll need to be at their very best if they're to cause an upset at the 'Ring of Fire'

Road to the semis - It has been pretty much straightforward for the Australians as they started their defence of the title 3 easy wins. India were expected to give a fight and they did fight hard, but as has been previously, the experience and the class of Australia was a gulf too much for the sprightly Indians, the Aussies won the big moments and scraped their way to a 9-run victory in the end.

Team News - Our correspondent, Purnima Malhotra, is nice and early at the venue and the first thing she's spotted is that Alyssa Healy is walking fine. But is she match fit? We should get to know closer to the toss, but at least the Australian skipper isn't wearing the moon-boat now and is in full Australian kit.

4:55 pm local time: After 20 league matches, the best 4 teams are through to the semifinals - Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies, in that exact order. Tonight is the first semis and it pits heavy favourites Australia up against plucky South Africa. This is a rematch of the 2023 T20 World Cup final, a game won by Australia, by 19 runs. Australia went through the 2023 tournament undefeated and are on the road towards a similar result this year as well. On the other hand, South Africa had a slightly anxious wait before they could book their ticket for the semis, with the qualifications confirmed only at the halfway stage of the England-West Indies game, the final match of the group. They were tamely beaten twice in their own den in 2023 and they'll start as firm underdogs today as well, but they've promised to give the Aussies a good run for their money. Dubai is the centre for this match and the pitch here has improved as the tournament has worn on. Will we see a high scoring encounter today?