Captain Thembi Kgatlana, who scored the injury-time goal on Wednesday that took South Africa into the Women's World Cup last 16, revealed afterwards that three family members have died in recent weeks.

South Africa won a Women's World Cup match for the first time with a stunning 3-2 victory over Italy to reach the knockout round in a thriller.

Kgatlana scored the winner in the 92nd minute to make history for South Africa and set up a meeting with the Netherlands -- sending Italy home.

"Over the last two weeks, I've lost three family members. I could have gone home but I chose to stay with my girls," said Kgatlana, who plays for Racing Louisville in the United States.

"Because that's how much it means."

The 27-year-old attacker is only recently back from a torn Achilles tendon.

"I've come back from a very, very brutal injury and for me to be here to play for the country, to represent every single girl that wanted to be here, to make history with the girls for South Africa... everyone deserves it," she said.

South Africa coach Desiree Ellis, whose side were beaten 2-1 in the last minute in their opener against Sweden and then drew 2-2 with Argentina, added: "This is just amazing. I thought they were incredible.

"I said we were going to fight for every ball. We said we're not going to give up and they were absolutely magnificent.

"This victory is for everyone back home, people that got up in the early hours of the morning to support us -- that is for them."

Sweden topped Group G with nine points, followed by South Africa with four and Italy with three. Argentina finished bottom on one.

Italy only needed a draw to reach the last 16.

Arianna Caruso scored an 11th-minute penalty to put Italy on the way but they conceded an equaliser in farcical circumstances on 32 minutes.

Italy defender Benedetta Orsi received the ball and, without looking up to see where Francesca Durante was, pinged the ball back to her goalkeeper.

But Durante was nowhere near where the backpass went and the ball ended up in the Italian net for a glaring own goal.

Italy hit the post in a goalmouth scramble just moments later but there was little to choose between them at the break in a wet Wellington.

The African champions knew they needed to score and they went on the attack in the second half.

South Africa duly took the lead on 67 minutes when skipper Kgatlana played in Hildah Magaia and she swept the ball into the net.

South Africa very nearly got a third but Durante made a stunning save and minutes later came what looked like the defining moment of the match.

Italy drew level through Caruso for her second and, after an agonisingly long VAR review, the goal was given for 2-2.

But the Italian defence went missing again in the second minute of injury time and Kgatlana slotted in to send South Africa through.

"They fought like warriors. They fought like the heroines that we know that they are," said Ellis.

"They've made history -- not just getting our first win but a place in the round of 16. And that is freaking amazing."