New Zealand won an important toss and invited South Africa to bat first – a decision that proved to be spot on almost immediately. The Proteas were restricted to 169/8 in their 20 overs, with Marco Jansen top-scoring with a fighting 55 not out off 30 balls late in the innings.

However, the damage had already been done early on. South Africa were rocked in just the second over when Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton were dismissed off consecutive deliveries by Cole McConchie.

The wicket of captain Aiden Markram for 18, with the score on 55 in the eighth over, proved controversial. A catch in the deep by Daryl Mitchell appeared to brush the ground before being completed.

Dewald Brevis. Photo: Cricinfo

To the fielder’s credit, Mitchell immediately asked for the decision to be reviewed. Even the Kiwis seemed surprised when third umpire Nitin Menon ruled it out. South Africans can rightly be upset about this, as in cricket, the benefit of the doubt always goes to the batter.

Despite 34 off 27 balls from Dewald Brevis and 29 from Tristan Stubbs, along with Jansen’s career-best score, South Africa struggled to build meaningful partnerships – something that ultimately cost them dearly.

Daryl Mitchell's controversial catch of Aiden Markram in the deep. Photo: Cricinfo

In reply, Finn Allen produced a breathtaking innings of 100 not out off just 33 balls, while Tim Seifert added 58 as the Black Caps chased down the target in only 12.5 overs.

New Zealand came out all guns blazing and showed no mercy, piling the pressure on the South African bowlers from the outset.  Allen’s sensational knock also set a new record for the fastest century in World Cup cricket.

Following the disappointing defeat, a very diplomatic Proteas coach, Shukri Conrad, praised New Zealand for their commanding performance and admitted that his side had been outplayed on the night.

“I just don't think we were good enough on the night,” said Conrad. “Obviously it would have been nice to win the toss, but that's no excuse. We didn’t post anything close to a competitive total.

Finn Allen. Photo: Cricinfo

“We recovered nicely with Stubbo and Marco, but I thought New Zealand were excellent. They exploited the conditions really well with their spinners up front, and we just never got out of the blocks. So ja, full marks to them. They were a hell of a lot better than us tonight.”

Meanwhile, on Thursday at 15:30, the co-hosts and defending champions India will face England in the second semi-final in Mumbai.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm