Australian all-rounder Ash Gardner has pulled off one of the great World Cup catches to ignite her side's powerhouse clash against South Africa.

Gardner was backtracking when she threw one had in the air and caught Mignon Du Preez off the bowling of spinner Jess Jonassen.

Commentator Nasser Hussain said Gardner's acrobatic effort was as good as Ben Stokes' freakish World Cup effort against South Africa, which was hailed as superhuman.

Hussain was in the commentary box for Stokes' catch, proclaiming: "No way, you cannot do that Ben Stokes. That is remarkable".

On Gardner's catch, Hussain said: "Brilliant from Ash Gardner, what a cricketer she is … came in a couple of yards and then she was backtracking, she had to go one handed. She's amazed herself."

He added: "I was lucky enough to see that Ben Stokes catch at The Oval … that is just as good from Ash Gardner."

All Du Preez could do was laugh as she was dismissed for 14 from 13 balls, helping South Africa post 5-271 batting first.

Both the Australians and South Africans were unbeaten heading into the game, with Australia's passage to the semifinals already guaranteed.