England claimed top spot in Pool D with a 62-32 win over South Africa but Wales narrowly failed to reach the last eight at the Netball World Championships.

South Africa, who like England had already booked a quarter-final place, trailed 26-18 after the second quarter.

But the introduction of goal shooter Louisa Brownfield and goal defence Sonia Mkoloma revitalised England and they ran out easy winners.

Wales needed to beat Malawi to reach the quarter-finals but lost 55-52.

The African side established a 16-10 lead after the first quarter, a gap that Wales could never quite close.

Wales finished third in Pool A and will go into the play-offs to decide the final rankings of the 16 participating teams.

South Africa are a top team and they certainly put us under the pump there for a while England coach Margaret Caldow

They are joined by Scotland, whose Pool B campaign ended in a heavy 93-20 defeat to Australia.

Scotland were already 14 goals down when they scored their first.

England will face Malawi in the quarter-finals on Thursday and victory is likely to set up a semi-final against the Australians - who meet the Cook Islands in their last-eight match.

"It's delightful to have qualified and a relief," said England coach Margaret Caldow.

"It was good to have the run-off against South Africa, they're a top team and they certainly put us under the pump there for a while.

"It was ideal preparation as we go up to that next level and a wake-up call."

In the other quarter-finals Jamaica will play Samoa while current champions New Zealand face South Africa.

Wales are next in action on Wednesday when they face Malaysia, while Scotland, who lost all three of their pool matches, play Fiji.