AP

South Africa’s Dirkie Chamberlain celebrates after scoring against India.

South Africa are one step away from booking their place at the London Olympic Games after securing a 5-2 thumping of India in the women’s hockey qualifying tournament in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The South Africans led 2-1 at the break, and stormed clear in the second half to book their place in the final.

Having bagged 10 points from four games, the SA women topped the log with one round of matches remaining ahead of Saturday’s playoff for an Olympic berth.

India and Italy, who square off on Thursday, will battle it out for the other place in the one-off final.

South Africa face Canada, second last in the standings with one win from four games, in a dead rubber in their final round robin clash. – Sapa