New Zealand and South Africa to square off in thrilling World Cup cricket semifinal

A few days ago, New Zealand and South Africa engaged in a tough match that saw the former come out on top. That World Cup was also in rugby, not cricket, as the Springboks defeated the All Blacks 12-11 in Paris to win the title.

The two countries would square off once more on Wednesday in Pune, this time in the World Cup of cricket. Similar to the rugby final, the cricket semifinal race is expected to be an exciting match as it moves into the business phase.

Thus far, the tournament has been going well for both the Proteas and the Black Caps. The outcomes of their respective most recent games, however, were different. South Africa defeated Pakistan by one wicket, but New Zealand was horribly beaten by Australia when they were chasing 388 runs.

Temba Bavuma's South Africa leads the points table with 10 points from six games, while New Zealand has eight points from the same number of games.

It will probably come down to who can hit with more force because of how both teams have performed thus far. Though they have struggled a few times, the South Africans have looked formidable with their enormous totals. There are strong and competent batters in New Zealand as well.

It might not be so simple, though, as the Pune pitch may put the batters to the test.

After missing the previous game, Kagiso Rabada is expected to return for South Africa. To mentor players like Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen, South Africa's bowling lineup would be incomplete without Rabada. Trent Boult will lead New Zealand, who possess a pace battery of their own.

It will mostly be a battle of the left-armers in the spin department. The Proteas have been well-served by Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, but Mitchell Santner of New Zealand is equally skilled.

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