120-3 - These two will run well as always, and de Villiers drops into the off side and hussles for one. Southee strays onto the pads of Duminy who flicks through midwicket for a single before AB strokes arguably the shot of the innings with an on-drive for four! A single to thirdman sees him keep the strike and de Villiers is really playing superbly at the moment - he's the key.
113-3 - The off-spinning McCullum is back on, and no doubt in an attempt to emulate Graeme Swann's hold over Duminy. He has one slip in for the left-hander who manages to find a single down the ground. De Villiers too goes down to mid on for one with the stroke uppish for a while due to some extra bounce from McCullum.
110-3 - WICKET! Southee pitches in short and Kallis middled his pull shot - it was flying for six but the full height of Jacob Oram at deep midwicket has seen the ball plucked out of the air on the fence for what is a stunning catch! Brilliant! Kallis, a massive wicket, gone for 47 from 75 balls. JP Duminy enters and starts with a single immediately - Vettori fielding gingerly. Tim Southee now has 15 wickets in the tournament and there is now masive responsibility on de Villiers' shoulders.
108-2 - Kallis sweeps and the balls loops instead off the pad square of the wicket. Brendon McCullum is off in a flash and with de Villiers scampering through for a leg bye Kallis has to go - McCullum's shy goes wide and Kallis would have been tickets had it hit. The communication between these two is breaking down slightly here. The South African allrounder meanwhile picks up a couple more square of the wicket.
Mike, a Kiwi in the UK, makes a very valid point: "I just want to remind my fellow southern hemisphere collegues how SA snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against england earlier this month...ANYTHING can happen in one day cricket..."
103-2 - Southee is back, what can New Zealand's leading wicket-taker in the tournament conjure up? Well, it's de Villiers who's making the play as he forces through sheer timing from a standing position through the off side for four! Magic stroke that. AB then does the mature thing by picking up a single before Kallis is nearly caught out again cruising between the wickets - Vettori's direct hit draws a call to the third umpire but Kallis has made his ground.
97-2 - Easy does it with singles down the ground for either batsman before Kallis decides to unleash over mid on. He didn't get everything on it and the ball is pulled up short of the fence by Nathan McCullum for two runs.
93-2 - After ten dot ball on the trot from Oram AB breaks the shackles with a backfoot drive of the purest quality, piercing the field square of the wicket and fetching four runs. Oram continues with his tidy back-of-a-length deliveries and de Villiers manufactures a single to deep square and Kallis opens the blade to thirdman. The lat two overs have just seen the pressure released for the batting side.
87-2 - With figures of 3 overs for 18 Woodcock is replaced by skipper Vettori and running between the wickets is starting to become something of an issue for this pair - A shy nearly catches Kallis short of his ground and then de Villiers has to dive full stretch to avoid being caught short of his ground attempting a second run. Nevertheless a productive over worth six runs and Vettori has five overs left to bowl.
81-2 - It's a maiden over from Oram, which includes a de Villiers inside edge and a fantastic stop from Guptill at cover which prevents four certain runs! The Kiwis are up for this!
81-2 - Too full again from Woodcock and de Villiers sends the first ball of the over racing away to the extra cover fence! Great stroke and it's followed by Jonny Clegg's Impi on the stadium loud speaker. What about some Crowded House at the next wicket? Woodcock is kept under pressure with three more single but finishes with a pair of dot balls as Kallis misses on a sweep shot.
Rob Bolz you great man, he says:"South Africa should get to the total with ease, but I always get the nervous feeling that we start getting a bit ahead of ourselves before we have actually set a foundation." Can Luke Woodcock ruffle some feathers as he continues after the drinks break.
Just by the way, Jacob Oram with that wicket of Smith has become New Zealand's top wicket taker in World Cups with 33 victims - passing Chris Harris' mark. It's another quality over from the Kiwi allrounder who concedes just two runs to Kallis who turns away to deep backward square. That is Drinks!
72-2 - These Kiwis are full on committed in the field, Martin Guptill diving full length to stop a Kallis plug into the covers. There is still a single though, with de Villiers also tapping to midwicket to get off the mark. He'll keep Kallis on his toes between the wicket and the Proteas allrounder has already been run out twice so far in this tournament so the New Zealand players will be watching out for any opportunity.
Dave is backing Vettori, McCullum and Woodcock to do the job. Reckon the return of Vettori and McCullum later in the innings will be a key moment, and their spin battle against de Villiers. "The mighty Black Caps need to keep the faith here. They've got the star people to spin SA out of the WC!"
69-2 - OUT! Width for Smith and he's driven off the front peg, in the air, and straight to Jamie How on at point! The delivery was loose but it's drawn Smith into a false stroke and it's game on! AB de Villiers is in and he was in outstanding form before sitting two games out and he will have to be patient and feel his way back in here. AB starts with four dot balls from Jacob Oram.
68-1 - Left-arm turner Luke Woodcock gets his first chance with the ball and it's MC Hammer for Smith, the Proteas skipper latching onto a half-volley to drive square for four, commandingly! There's bit of a Dan Vettori-like delivery stride from Woodcock around the stumps, with Kallis tickling fine for two and then collecting a single to finish the over.
60-1 - Southee will have taken on plenty of information from Allan Donald about bowling at Kallis and his line a decent but but on this track not threatening the Proteas pair just yet. JK dabs to thirdman for one and Smith chops a cut shot for another single. Just two from the over but it's positive stuff from the SOuth African batsmen who don't appear to be going into their shells as they have chasing low totals in the past.
58-1 - Oram just gets his line wrong to Smith who turns to fine leg for a single. Brendon McCullum then comes up to the stumps before Kallis flicks off the hip for a single and there are ones on offer down the ground too with Oram keeping the ball full with a hint of swing.
54-1 - Easy does it with four more singles - the quicks for New Zealand are looking less threatening than the spinner in that those opening couple of overs.
Plenty of Saffa support here, thanks for your comments, would be great to hear from a couple of Kiwi fans too! Who's the go to man today, Southee? Vettori? What of Luke Woodcock?
The people of the Eastern Cape in South Africa are following closely: "Go Proteas! Loads of South African support from slummies (East London)." Thanks Tim, plenty of your Warriors boys performing at the moment.
50-1 - Vettori is doing much like his opposite number, chopping and changing his bowlers regularly with Jacob Oram now into the attack. Two singles to open the over, but then it's a tidy line from Oram to Smith over the next three deliveries before the Proteas skipper ruins a decent over by latching onto some width and driving the last ball of the over square for four! It needs to be said again, Smith is looking far more confident than he has for some time.
Amla's wicket has not dampened Clint's spirits: "Yet another thrilling run chase, Amla is out but there's still plenty to come, the black caps is going down, go PROTEA'S."
44-1 - A heart in mouth moment for Kallis as he goes on the hook to Southee - the skidding nature of the pitch has beaten him for pace and the ball loops off the splice but safely on the bounce to fine leg. Smith takes the single to third man approach while Kallis returns to the strike - looking extremely amped, and flicks again off the pads to the square leg fence!
36-1 - Four dots balls to Kallis before he drives wide of mid off for one. Dan Vettori is looping them up beautifully trying to get the most out of this surface. Smith decides to use his feet and drives, but gets a thick outside edge which brings two to third man areas - that's the first false stroke by memory that Smith has played today.
Johnny Storm, think you're dead right - "Jacques Kallis and AB De Villiers is the key men here for south africa"
33-1 - Tim Southee, who looks a bit like that actor out of CSI Las Vegas - the name escapes - gets his first run and he's whipped typically by Smith to the leg side for one. The South African skipper is looking as good as he has all tournament. Kallis meanwhile latches gracefully onto a delivery on his pads to fetch four runs square on the leg side. The runs are coming fairly regularly now and Dan the man will be dead keen on picking up another wicket as soon as possible.
27-1 - Another eventful and tense over - Kallis glances for a couple and then launches into an expansive drive to a floated Vettori delivery, the shot flies past mid off and races to the fence for four. Kallis charges down the track again and gets hit on the back pad, big shout but it's given not out and New Zealand decide against the review.
20-1 - Apart from two singles there is some Kiwi excitement and South African nerves with a loud appeal after the McCullum brother combine with the ball flicking Kallis' pad on the way through to the keeper. Aleem Dar though is world class and says not out.
Clint Jordaan says: "221 is not that bad on a pitch like the one they playing now but if RSA's top order can just stay in there and not take risky shots then SA can win this one for sure, only 4 teams won chasing on this ground, you might as well make it 5."
Proteas fan Shaun Tiley reckons: "This should be nice and easy total for SA to be chasing, the kiwi bowlers wont be able to prevent this now."
18-1 - Vettori continues the all-spin new ball attack and drifts too straight to Kallis who flicks to the leg side for a couple and then a single to add with the Proteas just feeling their way back after that initial shock of Amla's dismissal.
15-1 - Kallis gets off the mark immediately with a single and Smith, who looks a determined skipper at this stage, chips to deep square leg for a couple. Two more singles for either batter, this experienced pair are massive for South Africa in this chase.
Hit us with your thought to: douglas.saxby@teamtalkmedia.co.za
10-1 - Many people sitting in South Africa skipping work to watch this one, and they'll be getting jittery after the early loss of Amla in that fashion. However, solid Jacques Kallis is in and watches on as Smith turns Dan Vettori away through the leg side for a couple - a direct hit calling the third umpire into action but Smith is safely home.
8-1 - Nathan McCullum gets the new ball which will pose a challenge to Smith in particular. Amla though is on strike first up and he flicks a drive for a couple and then caresses in typical fashion away for four. OUT! After a couple of singles Amla gets out in unbelievable fashion! No fault of his own really, a bottom edge has hit Brendon McCullum's foot on the full and looped up to Dan Vettori at slip for the simplest of catches! Hard on Amla, but he has to go! Is that more of the bad luck that has shadowed South Africa in past World Cup tournaments?
Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith are in the middle and while the Proteas are favourites at the start, the Kiwis will be coming at them hard, enjoy the chase!
"SA gonna crush vettori's men and SA vs Pak for CWC final . I bet all my money on this one Pak will outclass India and SA gonna beat Sri Lanka in the semi final.. Am the octopus of this world up guys all my predictions came true so far this wc believe me u won't loose your money on this one ;) and oh Afridi will lift the trophy." - Saad, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"in my opinion new zealand have put up a very good batting total, with the wicket not being the best for batting first. also south africa t full strength should be demolishing this new zealand side, and will have to bat well to reah this total, hopefully should be a good game." - alex clark - oswestry
"Regardless of whether England beat Sri Lanka (and whilst hopeful I won't be betting my house on it) my highlight of this CWC to date, undoubtedly, was the closing moments of the England v SA group match; proof if ever needed that England have bottle in a crisis." - Steve in Oswestry
So we managed to cover some of the cricket during all that debate and at the end of it all the Kiwis have a decent total thanks largely to Ryder and Williamson. They would've wanted at least 240, though, and the Proteas will fancy chasing this down with relative ease. That said, they did make a meal of a modest chase against England recently. That track was a lot tougher, however. Keep those mails coming in and be sure to follow us on Twitter. Back for the Proteas' pursuit in a bit.
221-8 - Plenty of fielders to the leg-side, so Williamson cleverly offers himself room to heave four over the off-side. Bit of guessing game this, but dear Kane doing well to preempt the bowler. Other than that a couple of scrambled wides and a single stolen to midwicket push the Kiwis beyond 220.
211-8 - Wicket! Oram's attempt at a late cameo is stopped dead in its tracks by the right-arm seamer, who completely misses his stretch to go over long-off and has his bails toppled by a more-or-less straight one. Captain Vettori in now, who gets straight to work with his unorthodox approach by darting across his stumps to glance for through backward square-leg and then smear a couple down the ground. WICKET! Morkel has the last laugh though, jamming in a near yorker to bowl the bespectacled all-rounder. Woodcock in now.
204-6 - 200 up for New Zealand, but boundaries are not forthcoming enough so they chance their arm with scampered singles. Williamson was gone for all money at the non-striker's end had Tahir been on target with his attempted direct-hit.
196-6 - The leg-spinner is back into the attack but he is rather ineffective against the left-handed Oram, who is happy to sweep four and club a couple down the ground with the turn.
"Only 4 more wickets! Need to keep our record of bowling every team out!" - Jacques Goosen.
...for the 50th e-mail of the hour. Who will win?
189-6 - WICKET! He's bowled plenty of 'em today and finally a slower ball produces the desired result. McCullum, sensing the shorter length, tried to club it out of the ground but willow met leather far too early. Duminy's at hand in the point region to take a dolly of a catch. Oram in now.
"Lovely day in Cape Town. South Africa is only going to need 35 overs to reach this total!" - Jacques Goosen.
"Go Proteas!!! Let's show the Kiwis what's going to happen later this year at the RWC!!!!" - Wynand Oosthuizen.
"I don't think Vettori should be batting at no. 8 - not in this situation anyway." - Stratts.
"nearly half an innings of dot balls - who's choking now? GO PROTEASSSS make us proud." Michelle Rod. I'd love to hear from a SA fan actually living in SA.
174-5 - I feel sorry for the man who misses a delivery angled into the ribcage, but Williamson is sure to avoid such pain by instead getting bat to one tickled through fine-leg. Meanwhile: "It makes me chuckle to read the South African 'confidence' on the text saying that this game is over. NZ still have Vettori and Oram to come in on a wicket very similar to the one that England dismissed SA for well under 200. Also if they were to win it would be a game they are fully expected to against an under strength NZ team. Group stages are over so we're on a level playing field now, England can still be a threat!" - Mark Robinson from Oswestry. Where is Oswestry?
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171-5 - Peterson, who hasn't had the greatest day since getting rid of McCullum, back into the attack. Much better from him this time around, which includes scaring the jeepers out of the right-handers with a leading edge or two.
169-5 - Thin edge from McCullum, but not enough in it to carry through to the wicketkeeper. Williamson later left to face some chin music, but it's not really on target enough to truly test. Hence the simple bob and weave to evade it.
168-5 - Would you take on Tahir over the top in the middle of a great spell? I wouldn't. McCullum and Williamson won't either, for the time being.
People are far too critical when the Proteas do something wrong/lose a match. They must understand that cricket's a tough, competitive sport and you can't always win - our boys are trying their best and want to win this cup more than anything, so instead of being so critical - be real people and rather support them through good times and bad!" - Zaahid Harnekar.
"The Proteas have this one in the bag!!!!! Bring the world cup home , I dont know but but surely this hurdle is overcome..." - Phillip Mungwari.
164-5 - Yes, he bagged the key wicket of Styris, but otherwise Morkel's line and length hasn't been up to scratch today. Easy pickings for Williamson, who is off to his own little flier.
Any takers? http://twitter.com/JonhenryWilson
"This game's commentary has been worthy of a CWC Final! Shame the cricket won't be as exciting when SA win with 7 overs to spare. And NZ will take over the chokers crown like their rugby team." - Chris Finne, Cape Town.
157-5 - Wicket! Ryder does his team and his hope's of a century a big dirty. A slog-sweep manages only to garner a fat top edge, which 12th man Ingram quickly gets under on the midwicket fence to send the big guy packing. Tahir is, of course, elated and does a full lap of honour for his part in the dismissal. Nathan McCullum in now.
"The South Africans going crazy after a slight good start to match, eish. People are saying they can't see SA losing this match, I mean look at the mentality. South Africans supporters and the media are the downfall of SA cricket team similar to England, they are so the world's best but hasn't won much in history that's elite. Fair enough that might beat NZ that's not too say they are going to because this match aint far from over but if they do, there's Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka still in the competition and any of those teams can beat SA." - Fagrodeen.
"I can't see any other finalists than South Africa and India. South Africa will play Sri Lanka in the semi's. Thanks for your ball by ball commentary. I'm enjoying it." - Raymond Kamineth. Pleasure.
154-4 - I'd best squeeze in an over of commentary amid all this debate and let you know that Styris is a goner. Morkel bags the last laugh by undoing the man that punished him for a couple of boundaries in his previous over as a fat inside edge balloons onto the right-handers' stumps. Styris wanted that somewhere over extra cover. Not to be. Off he mopes. Williamson in now.
"When England played well in the latter stages of the T2O World Cup they battered everyone. This World Cup they are fielding their B team and playing terribly but they are probably still going to win it. The rest of the World needs to catch up a bit so they can take advantage of the English when they are out of form (Like Ireland did)." - Kevin Booth.
"Proud Saffer in Dortmund, Germany: this will be a touch chase for SA! But they have an excellent oppurtunity to prove all the choke believers wrong! Go SA!!" - Jeromy van der Mescht.
"Are we all talking about Eng or SA B?" - Dallas Wiles.
"England to beat India in a finale of all finales Tendulkar out for a duck me thinks!" - Oliver Garthwaite.
"I don't think englands fan confidence can be compared to that of our football team. I don't go into every England cricket match assuming a win, but I do have confidence that my side will continually give their all to the cause, and dig in when it matters, unlike the pre maddonas of the England football team!"
"Not saying england will win the world cup but as for all you people saying we lost to ireland and almost lost to netherlands the fact of the matter is that we are still in the competition having already beat SA (2nd favorites) and drawing vs INDIA (favs) we seem to up our game against the better teams, fingers crossed this will see us past SL but no guarentees." - Rob, Kent.
153-3 - Styris' intentions are clear, he is not going to let the bowlers get on top of him and he hammers this point home by dancing down the track to tonk Botha back over his head for four. 150 up for the recovering Kiwis.
Dare I put my e-mail up again to continue the debate? jon.wilson@365.co.za. Meanwhile, I challenge you to clean up your spelling and grammar.
147-3 - Morkel's return to the attack is a weak one, with the pace ace planked over mid-on and then midwicket as Styris gets some early freebies thanks to the right-armer's severe lack of decent length.
"I'm trying to remember who NZ got in to teach them how to bowl." - Rob.
"You all dream on, South Africa is bringing this one home no matter who we meet in the next rounds couse this game is already won." - Trevor Dangazele.
"I really don't see England winning but in the great English tradition of looking for crumbs of comfort I feel we wont have lost to the eventual winners so can claim a morale victory. Oh and although I can't see South Afraica losing this I can't see them winning it either, will be for the Kiwis to throw it away!!!" - Alan Woodley.
"English players have the South African players to beat anyone on any day....You can take a South African out of Africa but you can't take the African out of him." - Graham Fawkes.
139-3 - I'm just loving the way Smith is using his bowlers today. Just as a Kiwi batsman thinks he can settle into one spinner, another comes into the attack. Botha pitching it on a perfect penny as usual.
"Shaun - I always want England to win but with this showing, They do not deserve to win the world cup but not only that they had a good Ashes Series yes anyone even an Aussie should say we were the better team but leading up to the world cup we just had a horrid time in the ODI arena. Sri Lanka will be the toughest challenge yet. I do not understand why Geoff Miller did not considered the selection of Adil Rashid from the start and also the selection of Alistair Cook?. For the New Zealand and South African fans commenting. I am personally routing for New Zealand to come out on top because of the fact they are one of the underdogs and I have enjoyed watching Taylor and Guptill." - Ryan Nixon.
"England have grit, the reason all their matches went down to the wire shows they need some work but it also shows they tough to beat (Ask India, S.A and West Indies). Nevertheless still think the English fan confidence is almost as misplaced as their footie counterparts at WC 2010 (and 2006 and 2002 and 1998....)" - Kabir Ramdew.
135-3 - Ryder happy to steady ship alongside Styris, who'll need a bit of time to find his feet, as the Kiwis look to recover from the loss of Taylor.
"Fabulous stuff from Ryder in steadying the ship. He's going to bat NZ to a insurmountable 240." - David Frew.
Gents, I hope you're following us on Twitter or catch my chirps at JonhenryWilson.
"England was never doing well, they were struggling to get to the quarter's, SA will win this one no doubt, and if it is England we find in the semi's, then this time they wont be so lucky." - Clint Jordaan.
130-3 - Wicket! Typical Taylor, who suffers a rush of blood to the head and duly perishes for it. He looked to club another high and hard over midwicket, but this time doesn't have the carry and Kallis does the rest down his throat. Tahir, ever the man to celebrate a wicket with over-enthusiasm, dances around the ground as if he'd just got rid of Sachin Tendulkar. Big boost for SA. Big blow for NZ. Styris in now.
Ross Clarke: "All the SA fans seemingly writing off enclaves chances seem to forget they were humbled by us in this very tournament. Sure we may not be the best side out there, but we have the grit to beat anyone on our day."
128-2 - Taylor, with the impending IPL at the forefront of his mind, gets stuck in and heaves six over midwicket. Ryder later hacks two to the fence, where Morkel - like an awkward oversized giraffe - manages to field it cleanly enough.
"Ireland beat England in the CWC and then "demolished" them in the 6 Nations last week. Oh yes and was recently beaten up badly by the same Aussies - Down Under- that left the CWC yesterday. Quality at work??!!" - Dian Geere.
"Ryan - I know things look a little bleak for England at the moment but where's your Blitz spirit? When our backs are against the wall we always come out strong and fighting." - Shaun Tiley.
118-2 - Ryder looks to go over the top again, but has to make do with something miscued over point. The half-centurion will have to get to the pitch of the ball everytime if he wishes to go big over the off-side successfully.
116-2 - It's the 11th bowling change of the innings already and Ryder welcomes Peterson's return by dancing down the track to heave four over mid-off. Understandably so, the spinner is a lot more coy for the duration of the over and won't offer much flight. So arrives the 100-run partnership.
"We need to stay quietly confident.........I do believe we are good at playing spin though and they don't have the same bowling power as the Proteas." - Graham Fawkes.
"By the end of the game you guys would have disappeared off the face of the earth after these comments you left here, too ashamed to say anything after SA give the Kiwis a good hiding! Go Proteas!" - Monique Scrooby.
108-2 - Smith continues to chip and change his bowlers, with Tahir now back into the attack with his testing leg-spin. Taylor and Ryder are up to the task though, and still refuse to take any risks. Singles and the odd two will do 'em just fine.
"I'd like to inform all of the guys below that Cricket is a unpredictable game you surely can not assume who will come out of this game on top. You can hope but not predict and as for Shaun from England. The way England are playing at this moment in time and the injuries being picked up to key players I think we will struggle with any of the two teams mentioned. If we get through the next round we will be demolished by Sri Lanka or india for sure. I am sorry it is the truth and as a England fan it is too nerve racking to watch at the best of times." - Ryan Nixon fom Manchester, England.
"English talking about winning the world cup I say? Or Beating Sri Lanka? That is a task beyond this England side, I mean some of their team is even returning depressed by their dismal play. SA vs SL semi final," says Kabir Ramdew.
"Demolish" is a high class word for England, Shaun...We can make use of it in the following sentence: "Ireland demolished England..." Sounds great, doesn't it?" asks Johannes Hollander.
"Shaun is very brave talking about england demolishing anyone. No matter wether SA choke or not, at least we didn't get beaten by Ireland!" says Matthew Nash.
104-2 - E-mails are flooding in quicker than you can say 'South Africa won't choke, today, at least'. Just hold your horses and I will stick publish the best pearls of wisdom as soon as I get a chance. Meanwhile, I can report that Ryder's fluid drive through mid-off for four has brought up New Zealand's century and Steyn really shouldn't be bowling such a shoddy length.
98-2 - Risk-free cricket from Taylor and Ryder, who deftly dab singles to the gaps on offer, with short thirdman doing the bulk of the cleaning up. Smith should offer Duminy a slip at this rate.
Stephen: 'First things first go Proteas. Second we have looked the best all round team so far in the world cup. Kiwis are going home.'
'Thought that might get a few South Africans up in arms. I smell anxiety... You're right to be worried guys. Today looks like a bridge too far.'
Jordy: 'One thing for sure that the mention of the word gets SA supporters very animated and talkative!'
93-2 - Smith needs another breakthrough here so he brings Dale Steyn back into the attack. The South Africans have already used seven bowlers today. They could use an eighth if they bring Faf du Plessis into the attack.
Folks, my colleague Jonhenry Wilson will be taking over commentary soon so send your emails about choking to jonhenry.wilson@teamtalkmedia.co.za.
92-2 - JP Duminy comes into the attack. Ryder looks to give himself room and chips it over extra cover. No one there so he picks up a couple of runs.
Shaun: 'It doesn't really matter who chokes whether it be New Zealand or South Africa, as both teams will be demolished by England in the next round.'
Anonymous: 'The kiwi's will go home tail between their legs like their neighbours (AUS) did yesterday LOL!'
88-2 - This has been a very mature knock from Ryder. He's been given a couple of 'freebies' outside off-stump but he's kept the big shots in his locker.
87-2 - Botha tosses one up to Ryder and the left-hander steers it down the ground for one.
Ferdi: 'The only one to choke today, will be Tom on his comments.' Jaco: 'Could you please tell Tom from NZ that SA haven't choked yet and that he must remember that NZ are more unpredictable than a polar bear in the sun. I cant wait to tell him See I told you so. SA will win this one.'
Jacques strikes a painful blow for the South Africans. 'If you want to talk about chokers,,,look no further than the ALL BLACKS. South Africa to win the Cricket and Rugby world cup!'. Ouch! Touchy, touchy!
84-2 - Taylor steers it wide of the wicketkeeper but it's just a single. Ryder takes one down the ground to go this 50 from 70 balls. That's only his fifth ODI half-century. Taylor goes to 3 000 ODI runs with one to the leg-side. Chance! Ryder looks to pull and gets a top edge. Shouts of 'catch' but it's well wide of the keeper.
Adiel: 'RSA will whip these NZ chaps'.
80-2 - The average first-innings total in Mirpur is just 236. The Kiwis are on course for a score in that region and Ryder is leading the way as he closes in on a half-century.
77-2 - Jacques Kallis gets a bowl for the first time today. He mixes things up, going down the leg-side and throwing in a shorter one to Taylor.
Someone had to mention it and the honour goes to Tom. 'If the Kiwis get 230+ they will win. Chasing on that pitch under lights will be tough. Apart from Steyn, the SA bowling attack is well over-rated and the Kiwis are experienced enough to be patient. C'mon New Zealand - up against a team of chokers...'
75-2 - At the moment New Zealand are looking good for a score just over 200 and on this pitch that will very handy. Botha comes back for his second spell. Taylor plants the front foot to crack it through extra cover for four. That was a beauty. It was his first boundary as well.
69-2 - Morkel is again too wide outside off-stump and Ryder is happy to take him on. That's just playing right into the left-hander's hands. The 50-run partnership comes on as Ryder helps a leg-sided delivery on its way. That was an attempted slower one from Morkel that just didn't come out right. Time for drinks.
61-2 - Smith is keeping the slip in for the spinner. Tahir knocks another one on from his own fielding and allows Ryder to get off strike.
58-2- This stand is developing nicely. It's worth 41 runs at the moment. Morkel returns for a second spell. He went for 14 in his first two overs. Not a good start as he gives Ryder room to free his arms. Duminy bails him out at backward point with excellent fielding. Ryder gets pinned back after that.
57-2 - Final over of the bowling Powerplay. The Kiwis have done well with the restrictions this time around. Their run rate is edging to four and they haven't lost any further wickets. Tossed up and Taylor runs it down to fine leg. Taylor gets a leading edge final ball but it's well short of cover.
53-2 - Peterson will continue despite his rubbish third over. Better stuff as he gives the batsmen no room outside off-stump to free their arms. He's keeping it at middle and leg.
50-2 - That Peterson over should settle some nerves in the New Zealand camp but Smith is determined not to give them breathing pace and he brings Imran Tahir into the attack. He beats Ryder with a googly. Fifty on the board for New Zealand with a couple of singles.
47-2 - Smith continuing to shuffle his bowlers as Peterson comes back into the attack. Morkel was a bit wide in his previous over. Taylor gets pad to one that's going down the leg-side. Width offered and Ryder says 'thank you very much' as he slaps it through the covers. More width, same result.
Shaun: 'I can't see any hope of New Zealand winning this or getting a high a batting total. South Africa aren't going to be giving easy 4's or 6's like Pakistan did a few weeks ago. South Africa vs. England will be the semi-final.'
36-2 - Bowling Powerplay taken straightaway. Ryder is treating Botha with care here. He's happy to take the fast bowlers on.
Frank: 'Being the only team to bowl out their opponents every time in the CWC, it's not our bowlers I'm worried about. SA is known to struggle to chase when the pitch isn't very true. We need the top senior batsmen (read Smith and Kallis) to perform if we want to progress.' Good point. Teams really struggle on this pitch when they bat second.
34-2 - Final over of the mandatory Powerplay with the Kiwi run rate just under three to the over. Ryder flashes at a wide one and it goes through Kallis at point. That one flew off the bat. Steyn makes sure it's not back-to-back fours as he puts in a dive at mid-off. Short and pulled away. The ball slows down and Amla runs around to keep it down to three.
No, we're not talking about some of the players/fans in the stands. Kathy's refering to the fielding: "It's good to see the technique of great batsmen and bowlers, but SA make fielding a beautiful thing to watch.' I have to agree. There was a period last year when the fielding was not up to standard but they're back to the best at the World Cup.
27-2 - Taylor takes one down the ground while Botha goes behind Ryder's legs.
24-2 - It's been a real struggle so far for the New Zealand batsmen. Smith is ringing the changes very early in the innings and brings on Morne Morkel. Two slips in. Wide outside off and Ryder can finally free his arms and smash it through point. Next shot is even better as he stands tall gets it wide of mid-off for a couple.
17-2 - New Zealand are not picking the singles here. They're going at less than three to the over. Taylor works it to long-on for one.
16-2 - Ryder flashes at one outside off-stump and then gets an edge that rolls wide of slip. Pat Symcox goes overboard about some good fielding in the covers. WICKET! He can go overboard about the dismissal if he likes as it's excellent stuff from Steyn. Slower ball and Guptill doesn't read it. He chips it in the air and the man at mid-off runs back and to his left to take the catch. Ross Taylor joins Ryder in the middle.
15-1 - Robin Peterson has done his job and with the left-handed Ryder at the crease, Smith brings on off-spinner Johan Botha. Talk about having options. Ryder immediately looks a little uncomfortable. Tossed up and they take one to long-off.
Jonny feels 'New Zealand is not gonna reach 200 with this bowling attack of south Africa'.
14-1 - Full toss from Steyn but Ryder gets nothing from it after some excellent fielding at backward point. Ryder gets a lucky four after an inside edge flies wide of the stumps. The left-hander was rooted to the crease there. Slightly short and Ryder pulls. He clears mid-on by a few metres and comes back for a third. Not a convincing shot.
6-1 - WICKET! Mr Frew is it too early to have a rethink as the big fish Brendon McCullum departs? It's another briliant piece of work from Peterson as he takes another spectacular return catch. McCullum looked to use his feet there but when he got the pitch of the ball he was forced to check his shot and offered a return catch. Peterson dived to his left to take an excellent caught and bowl. New man Jesse Ryder ends the over with one to the leg-side.
The first email of the day and it's a very bold prediction from David Frew: 'I just can't see the Black Caps losing this! This will be the big upset of the WC!'
5-0 - It's pace from this end with Dale Steyn. McCullum drives slightly uppishly through extra cover for three. It was a wide start from Steyn but he goes closer to the stumps after that.
2-0 - The leg-side is loaded for Guptill. Slip and a short leg in place but there are also a square leg and short fine leg. New Zealand are away as Guptill works it to mid-on for one. Mid-off goes back for McCullum and there's no short leg. McCullum's also up and running with one down the ground.
Robin Peterson, Robbie P, will open the bowling to Martin Guptill. Brendon McCullum is at the other end.
AB de Villiers and two other players were getting into a very tight, and I mean really tight, group hug as the South Africans walked onto the field. It was a bit weird. They were all smiles though.
The South African anthem belts out in Dhaka and it's followed by the New Zealand one.
Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum(w), Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Kane Williamson, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori(c), Luke Woodcock, Tim Southee
Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith(c), Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers(w), Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Johan Botha, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir
As reported earlier, Morne van Wyk makes way for AB de Villiers in the South African line-up. Quicks Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel also return with Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell spending time on the sidelines. New Zealand also have three spinners a the fit-again Daniel Vettori and Luke Woodcock are in the starting XI... and breathe out. That was a mouthful.
First blow goes to New Zealand after Daniel Vettori won the toss. The Kiwis will have a bat first. Team news coming up in a second.
With only something like four teams batting second winning here, the toss could prove to be vital in today's game.
Send your thoughts on this game, the other quarter-final, your favourites, blah, blah, blah to shahida.jacobs@teamtalkmedia.co.za.
AB de Villiers returns at the expense of (drum roll please)... Morne van Wyk. So that means he will be behind the stumps but South Africa will have three front-line spinners in their line-up.
Pakistan and India have already set up a dream semi-final. The winner of this game will face either England or Sri Lanka at the RPS in Colombo.
Welcome to our live coverage of the quarter-final clash between New Zealand and South Africa at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.