'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#5 New Zealand vs South Africa 2015 World Cup semi-final
The 2015 edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup was one of the best shot for South Africa to expunge the bad memories of the past. South Africa had a very strong team with match winners in Hashim Amla, Faf Du Plessis, AB de Villiers, & Dale Steyn.
Trending
After crushing Sri Lanka by 9 wickets in the quarterfinals, Proteas entered the semi-finals in good spirit. Proteas faced the co-host New Zealand in the semis, who had an authoritative victory over West Indies in their previous match. Skipper de Villiers won the toss and elected to bat first. The protea opening pair was back in the pavilion early. Faf and Rossouw steadied the innings with handy knocks of 82 and 39 respectively. A half-century from skipper AB and a cameo from David Miller took the team's total to 281 runs in 43 overs innings.
New Zealand had a tough task to chase the target down against a quality attack. But, NZ skipper Brendon McCullum came to all guns blazing at the Protea bowlers and gave NZ a solid start to the chase. However, quick wickets of Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, and Martin Guptill brought South Africa back in the game. The unexpected hero in Grant Elliott was determined to put on a show that night.
It all came down to the last over, with 5 runs needed off 2 balls for NZ to book the final berth. Steyn had the ball in hand with a sore hamstring near the calf. The semi-final nerves were evident in the South Africa camp & as Steyn marked his run-up. Surprisingly the pro dished out a length ball and Elliott stood his ground to pull the ball with all his might for a six over mid-on! New Zealand had shattered the dreams of another finale appearance attempt for the Proteas and tears rolled down from players like de Villiers.
The Proteas camp was in disbelief at the outcome. Most fans across the world had a tear in their eyes watching ABD and his team go down like that.
Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda. Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news
