New Zealand have reached the Cricket World Cup final for the first time in their history after beating South Africa by four wickets on the Duckworth Lewis method in the first semi-final in Auckland.
South Africa handed the co-hosts a target of 298 to win after posting 281-5 in their innings, with New Zealand's target being adjusted by the D/L method as the result of a two-hour rain delay.
New Zealand openers Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum got the Black Caps off to a flying start to their response, with the pair hitting several sixes to reach 71 without loss after just five overs.
McCullum's innings came to an end on 59 soon after when he lifted a Morne Morkel delivery to Dale Steyn, then Kane Williamson dragged a Morkel delivery onto his own stumps to curtail his short knock on six.
Things got worse for New Zealand when Guptill (39) called Ross Taylor through for the single, but he was run out when a foot short of reaching the crease.
New Zealand were reduced to 149-4 in the 22nd over when Taylor fell for 31, as he edged a JP Duminy delivery to Quinton de Kock.
Corey Anderson replaced Taylor at the crease and, along with Grant Elliott, he set about increasing the run rate with a number of quickfire boundaries.
The Proteas had the opportunity to run out Anderson, but De Villiers dropped the ball before dislodging the bails with his hands when the batsman was yards from home.
South Africa were made to pay for the error as Anderson and Elliott took New Zealand past the 250-run mark, with Anderson himself notching up his half-century before he was caught out by Faf du Plessis off the bowling of Morkel on 58.
Luke Ronchi's brief innings ended on eight when he holed out to Rilee Rossouw on the leg-side boundary, giving Steyn a wicket and leaving New Zealand on 269-6.
South Africa had the opportunity to dismiss Elliott in the penultimate over when he lofted the ball high into the sky, but Duminy and substitute Farhaan Behardien collided as they both looked to make the catch.
New Zealand needed 12 runs off the final over to win and, after Vettori clipped a four to the boundary, Elliott smashed a Steyn delivery into the stands for six to send the Black Caps into their first World Cup final.
Steven Toplis
