KARACHI, PAKISTAN - SEPTEMBER 25: Mohammad Nawaz of Pakistan celebrates taking the wicket of Phil Salt of England during the 4th IT20 between Pakistan and England at Karachi National Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Karachi, Pakistan. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

South Africa's T20 World Cup campaign is over after a shock loss to the Netherlands on Sunday in Adelaide.

The Proteas, who ultimately fell 13 runs short in a chase of 158, were in a must-win position if they hoped to progress to the semi-finals in the coming days.

On the final day of action in the group stage at the tournament, both Pakistan and Bangladesh, who will play at 3pm (AEDT), started just a single point behind South Africa.

It means the Proteas losing to the Netherlands would be terminal to their campaign, and that's the way it has resolved, with the Dutch side putting together a magnificent performance.

The Netherlands, who batted first, would score 4 for 158 from their 20 overs, with Colin Ackerman top-scoring on 41 off 26 balls, but backed up by Tom Cooper (35 off 19), Stephen Myburgh (37 off 30) and Max O'Dowd (29 off 31).

The score of 158 would ultimately prove to be too much for the Proteas, with the regular fall of wickets and no one going on with an innings meaning the Rainbow Nation never got ahead of the game.

Quinton de Kock, who has been in superb form, only scored 13 off 13, while Rilee Rossouw top-scored with 25 off 19, while Brandon Glover was the pick of the bolers with 3 for 9.

The loss for South Africa, while sending them home, leaves Pakistan and Bangladesh in a must-win scenario, with the winner of that game going through to the semi-finals.

There is also a chance that the winner of that game could jump to the top of the group, although that would require India to lose to Zimbabwe tonight.

With India going into that game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground - where reports suggest a sell-out crowd will be on offer - they should finish top of the group and play England in one semi-final, while the winner of Pakistan and Bangladesh will take on New Zealand in the other next week.

The semi-finals will be played on Wednesday in Sydney, and on Thursday in Adelaide.