South Africa's Faf du Plessis hits the ball during the Cricket World Cup semifinal against New Zealand in Auckland,
| SEMIFINAL 1: NEW ZEALAND VS SOUTH AFRICA |
| South Africa 216/3 (38 Overs) Rain pausing play |
| South Africa won the toss and chose to bat |
With Faf du Plesis and AB de Villiers hitting fifties, the “dudes’ stepped on the throttle to thrust South Africa forward against New Zealand in the World Cup semifinal.
This has been a brilliant recovery for the Proteas after co-hosts and heavyweight contenders New Zealand started the match on the top ridding both openers early at Eden Park.
Trent Boult, who is now the leading wicket taker of this tournament, continued his fiery form to this match and got rid of Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock early.
The recovery was provided by a crucial 83-run partnership between du Plesis and Rilee Rossouw before the latter was removed by a top catch off Corey Anderson.
AB de Villiers came on to the scene and was dropped midway in his characteristic no-mercy hard hitting innings.
South Africa, who has not had a seamless run thus far in this tournament, won the toss and chose to bat first eyeing to reach the pinnacle of a World Cup for the first time.
The Proteas recalled Vernon Philander in place of Kyle Abbott, a swinger bowler in place of a more hit-the-deck operator. New Zealand brought in Matt Henry in place of Adam Milne.
New Zealand Team
BB McCullum (Capt), MJ Guptill, KS Williamson, LRPL Taylor, GD Elliott, CJ Anderson, L Ronchi (wk), DL Vettori, MJ Henry, TG Southee and TA Boult
South Africa Team
HM Amla, Q de Kock (wk), F du Plessis, AB de Villiers (Capt), RR Rossouw, DA Miller, JP Duminy, VD Philander, DW Steyn, M Morkel and Imran Tahir
