Live Updates
  • New Zealand make it to the final of the 2015 ICC World Cup
  • New Zealand defeat South Africa by 4 wickets
  • Match is reduced to 43 overs
  • South Africa 281/5 after 43 overs
  • Du Plessis, 82, Anderson 3/72
  • New Zealand need 298 runs to win from 43 overs [D/L method]
  • New Zealand 299/6 after 42.5 overs
  • Elliott 84*/ Morkel 3/59
Grant Elliott
New Zealand batsman Daniel Vettori (C) celebrates with teammate Grant Elliott (R) after their team won the Cricket World Cup semi-final match against South Africa. [Getty]

That's it from us. We will sign off for today and we will be back with the Love Blog for the second semi final clash between India and Australia on Thursday. Hope you enjoyed our live blog and will see you for the next match. Good Bye for now.

One more semifinal clash remaining as the co-hosts Australia take on India at Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday. Read IBTimes UK's preview of the clash and also get betting odds and team news by Clicking Here.

We had a cracker today in Auckland as New Zealand defeated South Africa in one of the most cracking, amazing cricket match.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum.

"Pretty amazing. South Africa gave as good as they got all day. Great advertisement for cricket. Everybody involved will remember this for the rest of their lives. Keep raining is what I thought when AB was going. Two very destructive batsmen.

"The way we kept giving it in the field, the way we bowled, we did good. Even with the bat. We wanted to hang in till the end. What a great innings from Grant. Came out of wilderness not long ago. We had to generate some sort of run-rate early, that is what we tried to go.

"Credit to South Africa the way they played tonight and throughout the tournament. The greatest time of our lives. We have enjoyed the experience. The crowds that have turned, the brand of cricket we have tried to play. Hope the crowds are all dreaming the way we are. gee it would be nice to win it. We don't mind whom we face in the final.

"They are both quality sides, but we know if we play the way we want to we are a good chance. Really proud to represent New Zealand."

South Africa captain AB de Villiers

Amazing game of cricket. Probably the most electric crowd I have ever heard in my life. I guess the best team has come out on top. We gave it our best. No regrets. We left it all out there. It is hurting. It is going to take a while to recover.

Worst of all is we don't play for ourselves. The bigger picture is for the people back home. We play for them. I hope they can still be proud of us. There have been great performances. I felt we had a wonderful thing going. Had a great feeling. Don't want to single out any performance. To the teams in the final, all the best.

Grant Elliott

It's great. I don't think this win is for myself or the team, but everyone here. The supporters have been amazing. We wanted to take it as deep as we could [The crowd is not letting him talk]. I think we timed the pace of the innings to perfection.

Not as calm as I looked. When you have 45000 fans screaming at you every ball... It has been an absolute pleasure playing in front of this crowd. We have had a good run. It is the first final we have been in as New Zealand. We are a very level team, we will approach it as any other game. Nothing going in my mind when I hit the six. I don't even know where the ball went.

New Zealand batsman Daniel Vettori (C) celebrates with teammate Grant Elliott (R) after their team won the Cricket World Cup semi-final match against South Africa.

Grant Elliott
[Getty]

Read IBTimes UK's match report between New Zealand v South Africa by clicking Here.

Farhaan Behardien (R) trys to take a catch but is hit by teammate Jean-Paul Duminy during the Cricket World Cup semi-final match between New Zealand and South Africa.

Farhaan Behardien-JP Duminy
[Getty]

Grant Elliott's unbeaten knock of 84 helped him being named the Man of the Match.

New Zealand win the first semi final of the 2015 ICC World Cup by 4 wickets against South Africa. They go to the finals.

Over 43: New Zealand 299 for 6: Grant Elliott 84 (72), Daniel Vettori 7 (6)

Steyn to bowl the last over. Vettori on strike and he misses and Elliott takes a bye off the first ball. Wonderfully cut off again inside the circle and takes a single. FOUR, Vettori finds the gap as he squirted it to his left towards third man boundary. Vettori misses and Elliot takes a quick single to get back on strike. SIX, Elliott smashes it to long on and finishes the match in style.

Over 42: New Zealand 286 for 6: Grant Elliott 77 (71), Daniel Vettori 3 (3)

Morkel to bowl his last over. Vettori is on strike. Amla dives at short extra cover and saves a boundary for his side. New Zealand take a single. Elliott smashes it high in the air on the leg side and the ball falls in no man's land. He gets a double.

Vettori is on strike and Steyn dives and saves a boundary. Vettori takes a single. FOUR, Elliott smashes it over extra cover for a boundary. Last ball of the over and Elliott pulls it high in the air to fine leg. Collision between Duminy and Behardien ends in a drop catch and Elliott takes a double off the last ball.

Over 41: New Zealand 275 for 6: Grant Elliott 68 (67), Daniel Vettori 1 (1)

Dale Steyn is brought back into the attack. OUT, a short delivery and Ronchi pulls it and it ends safely in the hands of Ronchi and deep square leg. Daniel Vettori is the new man to replace him and will start from the non strikers end.

Elliott cuts it through backward point and he gets a double. What a waste of chance. Elliott flicks it on the leg side and he takes a quick double. Under arm flick from Rossouw and De Kock fails to collect the ball. Had he done that, it would have been end of Elliott. Vettori gets off the mark with a single. Elliott is on strike and he ends the over with a dot ball.

WICKET...!!! Luke Ronchi 8 (7) c Rossouw b Steyn

New Zealand need 29 runs to win from 18 balls.

Over 40: New Zealand 269 for 5: Grant Elliott 63 (63), Luke Ronchi 8 (7)

Tahir is brought back into the attack. Ronchi is on strike. A beautiful delivery and Ronchi just nudges it through off side for a single. Two dot balls is followed by a single by Elliott. FOUR, nice piece of timing and Ronchi has picked his spot over mid wicket for a boundary. A single to end the over.

Over 39: New Zealand 262 for 5: Grant Elliott 62 (60), Luke Ronchi 2 (4)

Luke Ronchi is the new man to replace Anderson and he joins Elliott in the middle. Both are having a discussion in the middle. De Villiers continues and Elliott hits it hard and the ball pitches over the bowler's head for a single.

Ronchi is the new man in the middle and is bowling wicket to wicket. Ronchi plays it straight down the ground and gets off the mark with a single. SIX, too short from De Villiers and Elliott and pulls it towards long square leg boundary and gets a maximum. A single is followed after a six. Ronchi ends the over with a single.

Over 38: New Zealand 252 for 5: Grant Elliott 54 (57)

Morkel replaces Tahir and he has one slip in place. Elliott takes a single after opening the face of the bat and placing it to third man. South Africa need a wicket at this stage. Two dot balls from Morkel to Anderson.

A ripper from Morkel as it beats Anderson, which takes him by surprise. A short pitch delivery and goes towards leg side and no wide given. OUT, Anderson looks to pull it towards leg side and takes a top edge and goes way high in the air. Du Plessis takes a brilliant catch at square leg. A very good over as Morkel concedes one run and a wicket.Anderson is still there on the field and after a long wait, he leaves the field.

WICKET...!!! Corey Anderson 58 (57) c Du Plessis b Morkel

Over 37: New Zealand 251 for 4: Grant Elliott 53 (56), Corey Anderson 58 (52)

De Villiers replaces Morkel in the bowling attack. Anderson on strike and starts with a dot ball, followed by a single to long off. The ball hits Elliott's back pad and South Africa players appeal, which is turned down by the umpire. No review left.

Anderson nudges it through long on and takes a single and De Villiers ends the over with a FOUR. He pulls it past backward point and gets a boundary off the last ball. That brings NEW ZEALAND's 250.

Over 36: New Zealand 243 for 4: Grant Elliott 52 (54), Corey Anderson 51 (48)

Imran Tahir is brought back into the attack. He starts the over with a wide on the leg side. FOUR, Anderson goes on the back foot and slashes it through point and cover for a boundary. A single to long off and that brings ANDERSON's 50. A dot ball from Elliott is followed by FOUR. He lofts it over cover for a boundary and that brings ELLIOTT's 50. Two more singles to end the over.

Over 35: New Zealand 231 for 4: Grant Elliott 47 (51), Corey Anderson 45 (45)

Morkel continues the third over of the batting Powerplay. SIX, He pulls it through square leg and gets a maximum off the first ball. Works it on the leg side and gets a single. Two more dot balls from Anderson. FOUR, Anderson goes over extra cover and De Villiers' slip near the boundary cushion helps ends in four runs. A single to end the over.

Over 34: New Zealand 219 for 4: Grant Elliott 40 (49), Corey Anderson 40 (41)

Steyn continues and Anderson starts the over with a single off the first ball. A dot ball is followed by a leg bye single. A single to third man from Anderson. Elliott places it just past the short mid off and gets a double. A good fielding from De Villiers and saves a three runs for his side as Elliott takes a single.

Over 33: New Zealand 213 for 4: Grant Elliott 37 (45), Corey Anderson 38 (39)

New Zealand opt for BATTING POWERPLAY. Morkel is brought back into the attack. Anderson is on strike. FOUR, He smashes down the ground straight down the ground as Morkel slightly pitches it. It is followed by three more dot balls. A swing and a miss from Anderson and a single to end the over.

New Zealand take Batting Powerplay (only 4 overs)

Over 32: New Zealand 208 for 4: Grant Elliott 37 (45), Corey Anderson 33 (33)

Steyn continues and he has one slip in place for Anderson. A dot ball is followed by a single towards sweeper cover. Elliott taps it through point and Anderson wanted a quick single. De Villiers collects the ball and takes off the bails, but he drops the ball. Replay suggests the same and Anderson stays.

Two back-to-back dot balls from Elliott is followed by one more. FOUR, Elliott ends by nudging it to third man and a misfield from Morkel ends in a boundary off the last ball.

Corey Anderson plays a shot during the semi-final Cricket World Cup match between New Zealand and South Africa played at Eden Park.

Corey Anderson
[Getty]

Over 31: New Zealand 203 for 4: Grant Elliott 33 (41), Corey Anderson 32 (31)

De Villiers decides to bowl and starts the over with a dot ball. It is followed by a single from Elliott, which brings NEW ZEALAND's 200. Anderson then takes a single down the long off.

A single off the leg bye and that brings Anderson back on strike. A misfield from the bowler allows Anderson to take a single. A dot ball to end the over. Just 4 runs from it.

Over 30: New Zealand 199 for 4: Grant Elliott 32 (37), Corey Anderson 30 (29)

Dale Steyn is brought back into the attack. Elliott is on strike and has one slip in place. Starts with three dot balls. Elliott then drives it through extra cover and De Villiers cuts it an at the end and saves one run. Two dot balls to end the over.

Over 29: New Zealand 196 for 4: Grant Elliott 29 (33), Corey Anderson 30 (27)

JP Duminy is brought back once again into the attack. Anderson takes a single off the first ball. One more easy run from Elliott towards backward point, followed by a wide down the leg side. A single form Anderson by just nudging it to the leg side. One more single from Elliott on the leg side.

Down the leg side and Anderson sweeps it fine leg and Amla cuts it in, gets two runs. SIX, full toss and Anderson smashes it straight down the ground for a six off the last ball.

Over 28: New Zealand 183 for 4: Grant Elliott 27 (31), Corey Anderson 20 (23)

Tahir continues and Elliott takes a single off the first ball to long off. A dot ball is followed by a single off the misfield at backward point. Two more singles and a dot ball to end the over.

Over 27: New Zealand 179 for 4: Grant Elliott 25 (28), Corey Anderson 18 (20)

Philander continues after the break and starts with three dot balls to Elliott. FOUR, he slices it through cover boundary on the off side. One more dot ball is followed by a single off the last ball.

Over 26: New Zealand 174 for 4: Grant Elliott 20 (22), Corey Anderson 18 (20)

Tahir replaces Duminy as De Villiers has changed bowling regularly. Two dot balls followed by a single from Elliott to mid on. Two dot balls from Anderson and Tahir finishes the over with a dot ball. 1 runs from it and it is time for drinks break.

Over 25: New Zealand 173 for 4: Grant Elliott 19 (19), Corey Anderson 18 (17)

Philander continues to Anderson and has two slips in place. Starts with four dot balls. Anderson flicks it to deep midwicket and gets a couple. SIX, short delivery and Anderson sends it to the stands over square leg to end the over.

Over 24: New Zealand 165 for 4: Grant Elliott 19 (19), Corey Anderson 10 (11)

Duminy continues and Elliott sweeps to fine leg and gets a single off the first ball. FOUR, Anderson sweeps to fine leg and there is no cover. Gets an easy boundary. A dot ball is followed by a single to long on.

FOUR, Elliott sweeps and hits it hard and gets a boundary towards fine leg. Ends the over with a dot ball.

Over 23: New Zealand 155 for 4: Grant Elliott 14 (16), Corey Anderson 5 (8)

Morkel is taken out of the attack after just one over as he is replaced by Philander, who has two slips in place for Anderson. Starts with two dot balls, followed two more dot balls. FOUR, pitched up delivery and Anderson plays the straight drive with the face off bat and gets a boundary. A dot ball to end the over.

Over 22: New Zealand 151 for 4: Grant Elliott 14 (16), Corey Anderson 1 (2)

JP Duminy is brought back into the attack. Elliott starts with an easy single off the first ball. It is followed by two dot balls. OUT, Duminy pitches the ball on the line and the ball spins towards leg side. It takes a knick and goes into De Kock's hands. Umpire makes no mistake in raising his finger.

Corey Anderson will repalce Taylor in the middle and is on strike. A leg slip and a silly point is in place for Anderson. Wide down the leg side. That brings NEW ZEALAND's 150. Anderson gets off the mark with a single off the last ball.

WICKET...!!! Ross Taylor 30 (39) c De Kock b Duminy

Over 21: New Zealand 148 for 3: Grant Elliott 13 (15), Ross Taylor 30 (36)

Morkel replaces Steyn now and he has been very impressive after picking two wickets. FOUR, Elliott walks away from the stumps and flicks it to fine leg boundary off the first ball. Four dot balls followed by a single to end the over.

Over 20: New Zealand 143 for 3: Grant Elliott 8 (9), Ross Taylor 30 (36)

Tahir will continue to attack. Elliott is on strike and he has a silly point and a leg slip. Elliott gets off the strike with a single off the first ball. Change of field for Taylor now. A dot bal is followed by a single to long on. Two dot balls from Elliott and ends the over with an easy single. 3 runs from it.

Over 19: New Zealand 140 for 3: Grant Elliott 6 (5), Ross Taylor 29 (34)

Dale Steyn is brought back into the attack. Elliott is on strike and has a slip in place. He opens the face of the bat and places it to third man for a single. It is followed by three dot balls from Taylor.

Taylor nudges it to deep midwicket and gets a couple. FOUR, Taylor finds the gap on the leg side and ends the over with a boundary towards long on.

Over 18: New Zealand 133 for 3: Grant Elliott 5 (4), Ross Taylor 23 (29)

Tahir continues to attack. OUT, Taylor taps and there was a mix up between him and Guptill as they were taking a quick single, Amla picks the ball and throws it and De Kock makes n mistake in dislodging the bails to end Guptill's time in the middle.

Grant Elliott is the new man in the middle. FOUR, Elliott sweeps and gets off the mark with a boundary off the first ball he faced. Two dot balls is followed by a single to fine leg. A dot ball to end the over.

WICKET...!!! Martin Guptill 34 (38) run out

Over 17: New Zealand 128 for 2: Martin Guptill 34 (38), Ross Taylor 23 (27)

Philander will continue to attack and will hope to bounce back with a wicket. FOUR, Guptiil plays an orthodox straight drive and the ball races to the boundary like a bullet. He pulls it to long leg and gets a single.

FOUR, Taylor pulls it in between deep square leg and deep midwicket and he is unable to stop the boundary, despite getting his hands on it. A quick single follows the boundary. A single to mid on from Guptill, is followed by one more Taylor to end the over.

Over 16: New Zealand 116 for 2: Martin Guptill 28 (35), Ross Taylor 17 (24)

Tahir in his third over. Starts with a single and then sweeps to fine leg and gets a single. Taylor places it to long on and gets one run. Guptill takes one more single to long on. Two dot balls to end the over.

Over 15: New Zealand 113 for 2: Martin Guptill 26 (32), Ross Taylor 16 (21)

Philander continues and starts with a beauty. It misses Guptill by an inch or two. A single is from Guptill is followed by three more dot balls from Taylor. One more dot to end the over. 1 run from the over.

Over 14: New Zealand 112 for 2: Martin Guptill 25 (30), Ross Taylor 16 (17)

Tahir is brought back into the attack. Starts with a dot ball, followed by a single to square leg. Taylor flicks it to deep square leg and gets an easy double. A dot ball is followed by a single. A single to end the over to fine leg from Guptill.

Over 13: New Zealand 107 for 2: Martin Guptill 23 (27), Ross Taylor 13 (14)

De Villiers brings Philander back into the attack. Guptill starts with a single. Taylor takes a single to third man, followed by one more run from Guptill to square leg. Two dot balls to end the over.

Over 12: New Zealand 104 for 2: Martin Guptill 21 (25), Ross Taylor 12 (10)

Duminy continues his second over. A beautiful stop from Amla and no run taken. Taylor sweeps it to fine leg and get a single. SIX, Guptill slog sweeps and sends it to the stands over deep square leg. That brings NEW ZEALAND's 100. A quick single from Guptill.

Taylor just flicks it to square on the leg side and gets an easy double. Ends the over with a single. Time for drinks break.

Over 11: New Zealand 94 for 2: Martin Guptill 13 (22), Ross Taylor 10 (7)

Morkel continues after picking two quick wickets. Starts with a dot ball to Guptill. He gets off the strike with a single. FOUR, Taylor slashes it through cover for a boundary, short and wide from Morkel.

It goes past the fielder at second slip and gets a single to third man. A swing and a miss. What-a-beauty.

Over 10: New Zealand 88 for 2: Martin Guptill 12 (18), Ross Taylor 5 (5)

End of mandatory Powerplay. Change in bowling attack as JP Duminy is the new man introduced into the attack. Starts with two singles, which helps Taylor gets off the mark . FOUR, Taylor sweeps it fine on the leg side and gets an easy boundary. It is followed by two dot balls.

End of mandatory Powerplay...!!!

Over 9: New Zealand 81 for 2: Martin Guptill 10 (16), Ross Taylor 0 (1)

Morkel continues after picking up a wicket in the previous over. Starts with three dot balls to Williamson. FOUR, back of a length from Morkel and Williamson pulls it in front of square for a boundary.

OUT, Williamson looks to play the pull shot again and it takes a bottom edge and hits the stumps. Morkel strikes again. Ross Taylor is the new man in the middle and will face the last ball of the over. A dot ball to end the over. A wicket and four runs from it.

WICKET...!!! Kane Williamson 6 (11) b Morkel

Over 8: New Zealand 77 for 1: Martin Guptill 10 (16), Kane Williamson 2 (6)

Philander is brought back into the attack. Williamson takes a single off the first ball, followed by two dot balls from Guptill. FOUR, Guptill flicks it behind square and gets an easy boundary. Ends the over with a dot ball.

Over 7: New Zealand 72 for 1: Martin Guptill 6 (10), Kane Williamson 1 (5)

Morkel is brought back into the attack. OUT, McCullum looks to clear mid on this time and ends giving an easy catch to Steyn off the first ball. That's the end of New Zealand skipper and South Africa get the first breakthrough.

Kane Williamson is the new man to replace McCullum. Starts with two dot balls. A straight delivery and Williamson taps it. A single off the last ball and Williamson is off the mark. A wicket and a run from this over.

WICKET...!!! Brendon McCullum 59 (26) c Steyn b Morkel

Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum of New Zealand pulls the ball away for six runs during the 2015 Cricket World Cup Semi Final match between New Zealand and South Africa [Getty]

Over 6: New Zealand 71 for 0: Martin Guptill 6 (10), Brendon McCullum 59 (25)

AB de Villiers hands the ball to Imran Tahir to get a breakthrough. He has leg slip in place for Guptill. Starts with a dot ball. The ball hits the pads and De Kock catches it and appeals. Umpire is not interested.

Guptill looks to sweep and misses it. South African players appeal and umpire is not interested. South Africa take the review. Replay shows there is no contact with bat and ball. Ball tracking shows the height as the factor and the original decision stays. South Africa's review has been wasted. A dot ball to end the over. A maiden over from Tahir.

Over 5: New Zealand 71 for 0: Martin Guptill 6 (5), Brendon McCullum 59 (25)

SIX, Steyn continues and McCullum comes out of the crease and smashes the ball to the top tier off the first ball. That brings NEW ZEALAND's 50. A wide on the leg side. FOUR, flat and hit hard down the ground for a boundary down the ground towards long off. SIX, a short ball and McCullum pulls it to the stands over fine leg for a six. McCULLUM's 50.

FOUR, Steyn bowls outside leg stump and McCullum flicks it to fine leg boundary. FOUR, another boundary as he slices through cover -point boundary. A swing and a miss off the last ball.

Over 4: New Zealand 46 for 0: Martin Guptill 6 (5), Brendon McCullum 35 (19)

Morne Morkel replaces Philander. MCCullum is on strike and he has two slips in place. FOUR, he smashes it over mid on for a boundary off the first ball. It is followed by a dot ball. A slower delivery and it is another dot ball.

FOUR, McCullum pulls it towards deep midwicket and the ball slowly races to the boundary. McCullum doesn't time it really well as a pull shot lands inside the circle for a single. A wide on the leg side. FOUR, Guptill flicks it to square leg boundary off the last ball.

Over 3: New Zealand 32 for 0: Martin Guptill 2 (4), Brendon McCullum 26 (14)

Steyn continues his second over and starts with a dot ball. Guptill wanted a quick single, but sent back by McCullum. A direct hit would have ended his time in the middle. The throw goes to fine leg and New Zealand take a single off the overthrow.

McCullum is on strike and he starts with a swing and a miss. A good stop from the fielder at point. FOUR, McCullum just clears the fielder at mid off and gets a boundary. A quick single off the last ball.

Over 2: New Zealand 26 for 0: Martin Guptill 1 (2), Brendon McCullum 21 (10)

Vernon Philander is handed the other new ball. FOUR, McCullum comes down the ground and he misses it and so does the keeper. The ball races to the boundary in no time and that's four byes.

SIX, too short from Philander and McCullum pulls it over fine leg for a six. FOUR, he pulls it to the leg side and the ball pitches just inside the rope and gets a boundary. Mistimed shot and no run taken. FOUR, McCullum lifts his leg and flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary off the last ball.

McCullum's record in knockouts

Over 1: New Zealand 8 for 0: Martin Guptill 1 (2), Brendon McCullum 7 (4)

Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum will lead New Zealand's run chase. Dale Steyn has been handed the new ball and has two slips in place. A quicker delivery takes Guptill by surprise and he opens the face of the bat. It goes through gully to third man for a single. He is off the mark.

McCullum's shoes comes out of his leg as he looks to defend Steyn. A swing and a miss off the next ball. SIX, short delivery and McCullum gets off the mark in style by sending the ball to the stands over deep extra cover. Once again it goes to third man and gets a single. A dot ball to end the over.

Here we Go...!!!

We are back with New Zealand's innings. Both batsman are in the middle and the field has set.

There will be a short break of 10 minutes before we start with New Zealand's innings.

South Africa manage 281/5 in 43 overs. The adjusted target for New Zealand is 298 runs in 43 overs. The winner will make it to the finals of the World Cup for the first time.

Over 43: South Africa 281 for 5: AB de Villiers 65 (45), JP Duminy 8 (4)

Anderson to bowl the last over and Miller is on strike. SIX, bowls just outside off stump and he smashes it to the stands over long on, gets maximum. OUT, moves away from the stumps and the ball goes away from him. Takes an edge and goes into the keeper's hands.

JP Duminy will be the new man and he will be on strike. Starts with a dot ball. DROPPED & FOUR, Duminy smashes it through extra cover and it goes in between the fielder's hands towards boundary. A wide is followed after that. Duminy just clears the fielder inside the circle and gets a double. A double off the last ball and that is the end of the innings.

WICKET...!!! David Miller 49 (18) c Ronchi b Anderson

Over 42: South Africa 266 for 4: David Miller 43 (16), AB de Villiers 65 (45)

Southee continues his ninth over. FOUR, Miller smashes it down the ground for a boundary off the first ball. A single down the ground off the next ball. A swing and a miss from De Villiers. A single off the next ball down the ground.

Miller misses a short pitch delivery and South Africa take a single. 1 bye called. A dot ball to end the over. 7 runs from it.

Over 41: South Africa 259 for 4: David Miller 38 (13), AB de Villiers 64 (42)

Anderson continues and Miller is on strike. FOUR, Anderson comes round the wicket and it takes a top edge and goes to the third man boundary. A late call from the umpire, but the right decision as he calls a wide. He takes a single off the next ball.

Full toss and De Villiers smashes it to the leg side. It goes straight into the hands of the fielder and gets only one run. SIX, Miller smashes it straight down the ground and it goes the distance and gets maximum. That brings SOUTH AFRICA's 250.

SIX, Miller hammers it to top tier over cow corner. That was a huge six. He ends the over with a single to fine leg.

Over 40: South Africa 239 for 4: David Miller 20 (8), AB de Villiers 63 (41)

Tim Southee is brought back into the attack. Miller is on strike. FOUR, half volley and Miller smashes it down the ground for a boundary. FOUR, Southee going for the width and Miller stretches his bat. It takes an edge and runs towards the boundary in no time. One dot ball.

FOUR, full toss and Miller clears mid off and the ball races towards the boundary. FOUR, Miller smashes it straight down the ground and McCullum tries to get his hands on it. He gets his finger tips and still goes to the boundary. He finishes the over with a single.

Over 39: South Africa 222 for 4: David Miller 3 (2), AB de Villiers 63 (41)

There is no Powerplay and Anderson will restart. A brilliant fielding from Henry down the ground and saved 3 runs for New Zealand. A wide called by the umpire on the leg side as players are appealing for a caught behind. New Zealand take the review.

The replay shows the ball hits Du Plessis' gloves and the decision is changed. He's given out and replaced by David Miller. Gets off the mark with a couple off the first ball. He has a slip in place and takes a single off the next ball.

De Villiers smashes it through sweeper cover and gets a double. A dot ball to end the over. Just 6 runs and a wicket from this over.

WICKET...!!! Faf du Plessis 82 (107) c Ronchi b Anderson

The players are back on the field again. Finally the play will resume in minutes now. South Africa have 5 more overs to bat.

A rainbow covers the ground during a rain delay during the 2015 Cricket World Cup Semi Final match between New Zealand and South Africa.

Rainbow
[Getty]

The match has been reduced to 43 overs

The latest weather report from the stands

It has stopped raining and the covers are going out. May take 10-15 minutes at least says my commentator. Don't forget, we do have a reserve day if the match gets washed out.

Standby

Latest Update

We are now losing overs from this match, so Duckworth Lewis will come into play when the rains stops & conditions allow play (1/2) #NZvSA

— ICC (@ICC) March 24, 2015

Everything possible will be done to get a completed match today, although there is a reserve day in the schedule (2/2) #NZvSA #cwc15

— ICC (@ICC) March 24, 2015

Covers are brought on to the pitch due to rain during the 2015 Cricket World Cup Semi Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Park.

Covers
[Getty]

As of now.

Let's hope.

South Africa were gaining momentum and New Zealand are not able to get the breakthrough. The covers are on the field and the players are off. South Africa's momentum is now broken.

Over 38: South Africa 216 for 3: Faf du Plessis 82 (106), AB de Villiers 60 (38)

Boult is brought back into the attack and he has only two overs left. Du Plessis places it to backward point and a good fielding stops South Africa from taking a double. Another quick single from De Villiers. One more single from Du Plessis.

FOUR, De Villiers just flicks it towards third man boundary and gets four runs as the fielder is inside the circle. A single to deep midwicket. FOUR, last ball off the over and Du Plessis' straight drive and gets a boundary off the last ball. 12 runs from the over.

Over 37: South Africa 204 for 3: Faf du Plessis 76 (103), AB de Villiers 54 (35)

Tim Southee is brought back into the attack. Du Plessis nudges it to third man for a single. SOUTH AFRICA's 200. A quick single and this time De Villiers has made it comfortably. A direct hit and the umpire checks upstairs. Replay shows he has made it and he continues.

A Yorker and Du Plessis blocks it. The ball races towards square leg for a single. De Villiers pulls it towards leg side and the ball lands safely and he gets one run. He is lucky. A single towards backward square leg to end the over.

Over 36: South Africa 199 for 3: Faf du Plessis 73 (99), AB de Villiers 52 (33)

South Africa take BATTING POWERPLAY. Anderson continues and Du Plessis takes a single off the first ball. DROPPED, De Villiers slapped away the ball hard and Williamson drops it at extra cover. No run taken. SIX, De Villiers smashes it to the stands and gets a maximum over long on.

FOUR, De Villiers smashes it through deep extra cover boundary. FOUR, he walks down the ground and hits it straight down the ground for a boundary. That brings De Villiers' 50. A dot ball to end the over.

South Africa take batting Powerplay.

Over 35: South Africa 184 for 3: Faf du Plessis 72 (98), AB de Villiers 38 (28)

Henry continues and he is in his eighth over. He has a slip in place and starts with a dot ball to Du Plessis. A misfield leads to an extra run as Du Plessis takes two runs. A quick single and a direct hit would have been ended De Villiers time in the middle. Replay suggests he made it and only he could have made the ground.

A single to third man from De Villiers, followed by one more single to third man. FOUR, a slip is moved to gully and De Villiers places it between the keeper and gully for a boundary off the last ball.

Over 34: South Africa 175 for 3: Faf du Plessis 68 (94), AB de Villiers 33 (26)

Corey Anderson is brought back into the attack. De Villiers takes a single off the first ball. FOUR, a short one and Du Plessis pulls it to cow corner boundary. A wide on the off side, followed by a single. De Villiers gets a double towards deep cover. FOUR, a short one and De Villiers finds the gap and pulls it towards cow corner boundary off the last ball.

Over 33: South Africa 162 for 3: Faf du Plessis 63 (91), AB de Villiers 26 (23)

FOUR, De Villiers goes on back foot and punches it past mid on for a boundary off the first ball from Henry's over. Two more dot balls and De Villiers places through deep extra cover and gets two runs. FOUR, A Yorker outside off stump and he smashes it through long on boundary and De Villiers ends the over with an easy single. It's time for drinks break.

Over 32: South Africa 151 for 3: Faf du Plessis 63 (91), AB de Villiers 15 (17)

Vettori continues his ninth over. De Villiers takes a single off the first ball. FOUR, Du Plessis cuts it beats the short third man as the ball races towards the boundary. A single is followed by FOUR, De Villiers smashes down the ground and gets a boundary. That brings SOUTH AFRICA's 150. He ends the over with a single.

Over 31: South Africa 140 for 3: Faf du Plessis 58 (88), AB de Villiers 9 (14)

Matt Henry is brought back into the attack. De Villiers takes a single off the first ball, followed by a dot ball. Du Plessis places it towards deep midwicket and gets a double. That brings Du Plessis's 50. A dot ball is followed by SIX, Du Plessis smashes it straight down the ground for a maximum. He ends the over with a couple.

Over 30: South Africa 129 for 3: Faf du Plessis 48 (83), AB de Villiers 8 (13)

Vettori in his eight over and Du Plessis takes a single off the first ball, followed by another single from De Villiers towards long off. Another quick single from Du Plessis helps him reach 48. A dot ball is followed by a single to long on from De Villiers.

Over 29: South Africa 125 for 3: Faf du Plessis 46 (80), AB de Villiers 6 (10)

Attacking captaincy from McCullum as he brings Boult back into the attack. Du Plessis taps the ball and De Villiers calls for a quick single, followed by one more quick single from the skipper.

Two dot balls is followed by a single to fine leg from Rossouw. De Villiers ends the over with a dot ball.

Over 28: South Africa 122 for 3: Faf du Plessis 44 (76), AB de Villiers 5 (8)

De Villiers takes a quick doube off the first ball of Vettori's over. A misfield and he takes one run. Du Plessis places it to short fine leg and gets a single. A single to long on from De Villiers is followed by another single from Du Plessis to long on to end the over.

Over 27: South Africa 116 for 3: Faf du Plessis 42 (73), AB de Villiers 1 (5)

Corey Anderson replaces Elliott and he is the new bowler introduced into the bowling attack. He has one slip in place and starts with a bouncer, which is called a wide by the umpire. OUT, Rossouw looks to slice it through point and Guptill takes a spectacular catch to break the partnership.

That's the end of Rossouw and is replaced by AB de Villiers, who will take strike. De Villiers looks to hook the first ball he faced and it hits his gloves and misses the stump. A swing and a miss off the next ball. A wide on the leg side this time. Gets off the mark with a single off the last ball.

WICKET...!!! Rilee Rossouw 39 (53) c Guptill b Anderson

Over 26: South Africa 113 for 2: Faf du Plessis 42 (73), Rilee Rossouw 39 (52)

Vettori continues and starts with two singles, followed by a dot ball. A reverse sweep from Rossouw and he gets one run. Du Plessis takes a single towards sweeper cover and Rossouw ends the over with an easy single towards long on.

Over 25: South Africa 108 for 2: Faf du Plessis 40 (71), Rilee Rossouw 36 (48)

Grant Elliott is the new man introduced in the bowling attack. Rossouw takes a single off the first ball and that brings SOUTH AFRICA's 100. A dot ball is followed by one run towards deep midwicket.

SIX, Rossouw goes down the ground and smashes it over the bowlers head for a six. A single off the next ball. Du Plessis ends the over with a dot ball.

Over 24: South Africa 99 for 2: Faf du Plessis 39 (68), Rilee Rossouw 28 (45)

Vettori continues and starts the over with a dot ball, followed by a wide and a single from Rossouw. Two more singles and Rossouw places it past Guptill at extra cover and takes a single off the last ball.

Over 23: South Africa 93 for 2: Faf du Plessis 37 (66), Rilee Rossouw 25 (41)

Kane Williamson replaces Southee in the bowling attack. Rossouw takes a single off the first ball to long on. The ball hits Du Plessis' pad and then bat and he gets a run. Two more singles and Du Plessis ends the over with a dot ball. 5 runs from the over.

Over 22: South Africa 88 for 2: Faf du Plessis 35 (63), Rilee Rossouw 22 (38)

Vettori in his fourth over. Rossouw flicks it to fine leg and gets a single off the first ball. A dot ball is followed by a quick single from Du Plessis. A single from Rossouw after placing to past the bowler towards mid off. A dot ball to end the over.

Over 21: South Africa 85 for 2: Faf du Plessis 34 (60), Rilee Rossouw 20 (35)

Southee in his sixth over and he has one slip and a gully in place for Du Plessis. He starts with two dot balls. FOUR, Du Plessis walks down the ground and smashes it over mid-off for a boundary. A dot ball. FOUR, Du Plessis drives down the ground and gets a boundary off the last ball.

Over 20: South Africa 77 for 2: Faf du Plessis 26 (54), Rilee Rossouw 20 (35)

Vettori continues and starts his third over with two dot balls, followed by a single to sweeper cover. Rossouw looks for reverse sweep and he misses it. Ends the over with a dot ball. 1 run from it.

Over 19: South Africa 76 for 2: Faf du Plessis 25 (51), Rilee Rossouw 20 (32)

Tim Southee is brought back into the attack. He has two slips and a gully in place. Du Plessis takes a single off the third ball. FOUR, an inside edge and the ball races towards the fine leg boundary.

Over 18: South Africa 71 for 2: Faf du Plessis 24 (48), Rilee Rossouw 16 (29)

Vettori in his second over. Rossouw is on strike. FOUR, a huge wide on the leg side and it misses keeper Ronchi and the ball races towards the boundary. A dot ball is followed by a single. Du Plessis flicks it on the leg side and takes one run. Three dot balls to end the over.

Over 17: South Africa 64 for 2: Faf du Plessis 23 (47), Rilee Rossouw 15 (24)

Henry continues after the drinks break. A wide is followed by a single towards square leg. It is followed by three dot balls from Rossouw. He makes it four in a row. So far only two runs have come from this over and finishes the over with a quick single.

Over 16: South Africa 61 for 2: Faf du Plessis 22 (46), Rilee Rossouw 14 (19)

Change in bowling attack. Daniel Vettori is introduced into the attack as it is the first over of spin. Du Plessis starts the over with a dot ball, followed by single. Rossouw repeats the same and gets one run. A dot ball and one more single towards square leg to end the over. It's time for the drinks break.

Over 15: South Africa 58 for 2: Faf du Plessis 20 (42), Rilee Rossouw 13 (17)

Henry continues and Du Plessis starts the over with a single. A dot ball is followed by a single from Rossouw. Inside edge and the ball races to square of fine leg and Du Plessis gets a single. Rossouw ends the over with two dot balls. 3 runs from it.

Over 14: South Africa 55 for 2: Faf du Plessis 18 (40), Rilee Rossouw 12 (13)

Boult in his seventh over and he continues to attack with the ball. Boult has four slips and a gully in place for Rossouw and he flicks it towards leg side. Vettori chases the ball and saves a boundary. South Africa get three runs.

Du Plessis flicks to deep midwicket and Vettori once again chases the ball and stops a boundary. Once again South Africa get three runs. FOUR, A straight drive towards mid on helps Rossouw get his first boundary. That brings SOUTH AFRICA's 50. A singe to square leg off the next ball. Du Plessis ends the over with a single away from point.

Over 13: South Africa 43 for 2: Faf du Plessis 14 (37), Rilee Rossouw 4 (10)

Henry in his third over after an impressive last over. He still has three slips and a gully in place as McCullum is looking for one more wicket. Starts the over with four dot balls. Make it five in a row now, followed by one more dot as Henry gets his second maiden over.

Over 12: South Africa 43 for 2: Faf du Plessis 14 (31), Rilee Rossouw 4 (10)

Boult continues and Rossouw is on strike. A very orthodox field set for the left hander as he has four slips and a gully in place. Starts the over with three dot balls. Rossouw slices it through the off side and Elliot stops a boundary at short point.

An in-swinging Yorker and Rossouw defends it. The ball goes straight down the ground, forcing both mid on and mid off to chase to save the boundary. In the process, South Africa take three runs and Du Plessis ends the over with a single to fine leg.

Over 11: South Africa 39 for 2: Faf du Plessis 12 (30), Rilee Rossouw 1 (5)

Matt Henry continues his second over to Du Plessis. He has two slips and a gully in place. Starts with three dot balls. It is followed by three more dot balls as Henry gets his first maiden over.

Trent Boult
Trent Boult of New Zealand (L) celebrates his wicket of Quinton de Kock during the 2015 Cricket World Cup Semi Final match between New Zealand and South Africa. [Getty]
Trent Boult of New Zealand (L) celebrates his wicket of Quinton de Kock during the 2015 Cricket World Cup Semi Final match between New Zealand and South Africa.[Getty]

End of the mandatory Powerplay. South Africa 39/2 after 10 overs.

Over 10: South Africa 39 for 2: Faf du Plessis 12 (24), Rilee Rossouw 1 (5)

Boult continues his fifth over. Du Plessis is on strike and starts the over with three dot balls. FOUR, edged the ball races to fine of third man for a boundary. A single off the last ball to end the over. That's the end of the mandatory Powerplay.

Over 9: South Africa 34 for 2: Faf du Plessis 8 (18), Rilee Rossouw 1 (5)

Matt Henry replaces Southee in the bowling attack as New Zealand make the first change. Du Plessis places it on the leg side and takes a single off the first ball. Rossouw places it towards short mid off and gets off the mark with a single.

Du Plessis taps the ball towards the leg side and goes on to take a quick single. Direct hit would have been in trouble, but replay suggests he had already made his ground. Three dot balls to end the over. 3 from the over.

Over 8: South Africa 31 for 2: Faf du Plessis 6 (16), Rilee Rossouw 0 (1)

Boult in his fourth over in search of his second wicket. Du Plessis takes a single off the second ball. De Kock takes no run off the third and the fourth ball. OUT, a short delivery and De Kock looks to pull on the leg side. Takes a thick edge and races to third man and ends up in Southee's hands. Rilee Rossouw is the new man in the middle and he has five slips in place. Ends the over with a dot ball.

WICKET...!!! Quinton de Kock 14 (17) c Southee b Boult

Over 7: South Africa 30 for 1: Faf du Plessis 5 (13), Quinton de Kock 14 (15)

Southee continues and starts with a dot ball to De Kock. A wide on the leg side off next. One more dot ball and it is followed by a short delivery. He pulls it to square leg for a single. Du Plessis has three slips and a gully in place. He ends the over with a single on the leg side.

Over 6: South Africa 27 for 1: Faf du Plessis 4 (10), Quinton de Kock 13 (12)

Boult continues and he has four players in the catching quadrant. A swing and a miss off the first ball. De Kock takes a single off the next ball. Four dot balls as Boult concedes only one run.

Trent Boult became the first player to pick 20 wickets in the 2015 ICC World Cup.

Over 5: South Africa 26 for 1: Faf du Plessis 4 (6), Quinton de Kock 12 (10)

Southee in his third over and De Kock is on strike. He has three slips in place and starts the over with a dot ball. He then flicks it to fine leg for a single. No run taken off the next three balls. Southee ends the over with one more dot ball. Just 1 run from the over.

Over 4: South Africa 25 for 1: Faf du Plessis 4 (2), Quinton de Kock 11 (8)

Boult in his second over and he comes charging down the ground as De Kock is on strike. Still three slips in place and this time he has a gully as well. Square leg goes behind and De Kock flicks it on the leg side for a single after a dot ball.

OUT, Boult bowls outside off stump and Amla is looking to play the cover drive. In the process, it takes a thick inside edge and hits the stumps. Faf du Plessis replaces him in the middle, very early in the innings and he is on strike.

Two slips and a short leg in place for Du Plessis. A swing and a miss off the first ball. FOUR, a Yorker off the last ball and Du Plessis blocks it and the pace of the ball helps him to get a boundary on the square leg.

WICKET...!!! Hashim Amla 10 (14) b Boult

Over 3: South Africa 20 for 0: Hashim Amla 10 (12), Quinton de Kock 10 (6)

Southee continues and he has three slips in place for Amla. Starts the over with a dot ball. DROPPED, Amla pulls it towards square of fine leg and the ball was in the air for long time. Boult comes running and just misses the ball as it falls in front of him. Amla takes a double and gets off the mark.

No run taken off the third ball. FOUR, Amla knick it past the keeper on the leg side and the ball races towards the boundary. FOUR, last ball off the over and Amla flicks it towards deep square leg boundary. 10 runs from the over.

Over 2: South Africa 10 for 0: Hashim Amla 0 (6), Quinton de Kock 10 (6)

De Kock takes guard as he will take strike for the first time. Trent Boult, the tournaments leading wicket taker is on strike. He has three slips in place. A swing and a miss off the first ball, followed by a dot ball.

FOUR, De Kock gets a little edge and the ball beats the third slip and race away for four. First runs on the board. One more dot ball. De Kock slice it square on the off side and gets a couple.

DROPPED & FOUR, Boult's quicker delivery takes an edge of De Kock's bat and keeper Ronchi puts down the catch as the ball races to the boundary. De Kock ends the over with a dot ball. 10 runs from it.

Over 1: South Africa 0 for 0: Hashim Amla 0 (6), Quinton de Kock 0 (0)

Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock will open South Africa's batting attack in this crucial semi final clash. Brendon McCullum hands the new ball to Tim Southee, who has three slips in place for Amla.

Southee has bowled very well so far as no run taken from first five deliveries. One more dot ball and he will start with a maiden over. Amla taps the last ball and it is a maiden over.

New Zealand players have already on the field and South Africa openers are taking guard.

Both teams walk to the ground for the National Anthem.

You can see the toss here again and again and again and again.

Vernon Philander has recovered from injury and he comes in for Kyle Abbott.

Injured...!!! Adam Milne has picked up a heel injury and is replaced by Matt Henry, who is playing his first match of the World Cup.

TEAM NEWS

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (C), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi (WK), Daniel Vettori, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (WK), Faf du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, AB de Villiers (C), David Miller, JP Duminy, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir

TOSS...!!! South Africa win the toss and AB de Villiers elect to bat first.

Two captains Brendon McCullum and AB de Villiers walk to the middle for the toss.

Key battles for today's match

We will have the toss in less than 10 minutes.

New Zealand's Brendon McCullum (C) smiles during training ahead of their 2015 Cricket World Cup semi final match against South Africa at Eden Park in Auckland.

New Zealand
[Getty]

South Africa captain AB de Villiers

"It would be silly to focus too much on the cricket they've played. They've played really well but if we play to our full potential, no one is going to stop us. I need to make sure they are confident mentally and fresh physically."

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum

"Any game you play, some get more nervous than others but the general feeling is that we can't wait to get out there and test our skills against a very good South African team and in a crunch game. The way we dealt with the expectations of the last game should hold is us in reasonable stead."

New Zealand and South Africa have never made it to the World Cup final and we will have a team who will make it to the final for the first time on Sunday.

New Zealand are unbeaten in the 2015 ICC World Cup, having won 7 games on the trot so far.

Good morning and welcome to IBTimes UK's LIVE coverage of the first semi final clash between New Zeland and South Africa from the ICC World Cup 2015. We are scheduled to get started at 12:00am GMT.