New Zealand, South Africa eye final spot

SYDNEY (AFP) - New Zealand and South Africa will both be seeking a first World Cup semi-final victory when they meet in Auckland today (Tuesday).

Between them, New Zealand and South Africa have appeared in nine semi-finals without reaching a World Cup final.

But they both have a chance to put that unwanted record behind them at Auckland s Eden Park.

New Zealand go into the match with Martin Guptill in fine form after his stunning World Cup-record 237 not out against the West Indies in a comfortable quarter-final win in Wellington last weekend.

The opener has scored 57, 105 and 237 not out in his last three innings.

"He s been a huge player for us in this tournament and I d suggest he s probably not quite done yet," said New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum.

However, the opener s record against South Africa is relatively poor with a total of 115 runs scored in 11 matches and five of his last six innings against the Proteas producing single-figure scores.

New Zealand were forced to hastily rearrange their squad Monday after fast bowler Adam Milne was ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a heel injury and replaced by Matt Henry.

But McCullum said they remained confident without their express bowler, given New Zealand have alternative seamers in Mitchell McClenaghan and veteran Kyle Mills, as well as Henry, to call upon.

"The way we dealt with the expectations of the last game and the pressure which that had in itself, that should hold us in reasonable stead," said the skipper.

"I expect the team that is able to handle the crunch situations the best will come out on top."

South Africa went some way to ridding themselves of the unwanted tag of  chokers  with a nine-wicket thrashing of Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals.

"I feel the team is in a really good space at a really good time. We have a lot of reason to be confident," said South Africa captain AB de Villiers.

"We know if we play a good game of cricket, we will come out on top."