Defending champion Australia booked a spot in the women's hockey World Cup semi-finals but unfortunately its opponent look like being tournament favourite Argentina.

Australia belted lowly South Africa 5-0 at Perth Hockey Stadium to move to 15 points from six pool matches just one behind pool B leader, the Netherlands.

But despite the Dutch team's 1-1 draw with Spain, the Netherlands need to just defeat the USA to ensure the Hockeyroos meet the flamboyant South Americans on Friday.

The home side meets Japan on the last day of pool matches on Wednesday.

Australia bounced back after its 3-1 loss to the Netherlands with renewed purpose and precision from penalty corners against a flagging South Africa unit.

The Hockeyroos' first attacking raid netted dividends with Julie Towers strike squeezing under keeper Caroline Birt and a clash of South African sticks pushing it over the line.

Just eight minutes later defender Angie Skirving converted Australia's second penalty corner with a well taken flick into the top left hand corner.

South Africa was then dealt another blow with Australian defender Louise Dobson accidentally lofting a ball into the back of Pietie Coetzee's head.

The strapping striker bravely returned to the field later in the first half.

But the Australians continued to maintain the pain on the scoreboard with Nikki Hudson getting an almost identical goal to Skirving's ten minutes from the break.

Seven minutes after halftime Bianca Netzler kept up Australia's steady stream of goals with a reverse stick from the top of the area finding its way through some feeble defence.

Midfielder Melanie Twitt then made a fool out of Birt by smashing the ball between her legs for her first international goal from 69 appearances in the 51st minute.

Defender Sarah Taylor ensured Australia finished with a clean sheet with a desperate diving save three minutes from time.

South Africa next plays Ireland in a match between the only two teams in pool B yet to win a match.

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