South African fans across the country experienced a mixed bag of emotions as the Proteas lost for the first time in their World Cup campaign as England clinched a six wicket victory.

Those who got up to catch the start of the action at 6am were treated to a superb spell of bowling by Robin Peterson as Andrew Struass, Kevin Pietersen and Ian bell all fell cheaply and England were in a spot of bother at 15 for three.

Jonathan Trott and Ravi Bopara, however, steadied the ship and it wasn’t until a solid partnership that Trott was sent packing for 52 (off 123 balls). Bopara added 60 (off 149 balls), but the rest of the England batting line up were pale in comparison. Imran Tahir bagged four scalps and the Proteas skittled out their opposition for just 171.

Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith got off to a pretty slow start and it wasn't long before Graeme Swann sent the South African skipper back to the changeroom. Still, at 63 for one, South African fans all over thought they were still dead set for a victory but when Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessies ad JP Duminy were dismissed rather easily, some South African supporters’ pulses started to race.

At 124 for six it still seemed like an easy task, but the wickets kept on falling and pretty soon it looked like the tail would need to do the job. At one stage, South Africa needed 13 off 24, but Morne van Wyk lost his wicket and hearts across South Africa sunk.

With eight needed off 18 balls and two wickets in hand, some fans believed that it was still possible. Stuart Broad, however, had other plans and he wrapped the tail to help guide England to victory.

The reactions from fans were mixed, some were quick to pull out the chokers tag while others said that it was simply a collapse and evidence of the brittle middle order. Others were happy for South Africa to get their ‘choke’ out now and other simply credited England’s bowling.

Whatever you think of the game, it definitely raised the blood pressure a bit and proved that this World Cup is a competitive one with absolutely no place for complacency.