The 34-year-old captain revealed after Thursday's crushing eight-wicket loss in Dubai that she felt she had "one game in me" despite nursing a ruptured plantar fascia in her right foot.
But she took the gamble of sitting out the match in the hope she could still be fit should the team advance, as expected, to Sunday's final.
"It was a really hard decision to make last night as to whether or not we're going to give it a punt or not," Healy told reporters after their unexpected dethronement.
"I tried to make the 'team decision' and sat myself down, instead of taking the risk (of playing against South Africa)."
A Women's — T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) #T20WorldCup final without Australia for the first time in 15 years 😯#WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/WnnHU7HspEOctober 17, 2024
Asked how close she had been to playing, she added: "I'm not sure. I don't really know. It's a hard one to answer.
"I mean, I ruptured my plantar fascia - completely ruptured one and partially ruptured the other.
"So it was just a matter of function and pain and what I could handle, and, ultimately, I probably only had one game in me, and probably took the wrong risk."
From the sidelines, Healy admitted: "It was hard to watch, knowing that you can't really go out there."
But she was adamant that there was plenty to cheer despite Australia losing their first World Cup in either the 20-over or 50-over format since 2017.
South Africa celebrate Tahlia McGrath's wicket during the semi-final in Dubai. (AP PHOTO)
"One bad night doesn't necessarily define us as a team," she insisted.
"Yes, we'd have loved to win the trophy, but that's not the case. But I think there's been so many positives throughout this tournament in the way the girls are growing, learning and continuing to want to get better.
"It's been awesome, the environment we've managed to create, and the belief that we have within our side that anybody can go out there and win the game. It was good to see so many positives throughout the tournament.
"We played some amazing cricket ... I think it shows the maturity of the side at such a young age. So it's cool to see."
Asked how long she expected to be out for, Healy shrugged: "Don't know yet. We'll assess that when we get back. Obviously, WBBL starts next Sunday, so we'll reassess that as we go."
