Francois Pienaar: 'South Africa like being underdogs'

Rugby World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar has said that being underdogs for their semi-final against New Zealand will suit South Africa.

The Springboks face the reigning champions at Twickenham tomorrow, while Australia and Argentina will meet in the other last-four clash on Sunday.

Pienaar, who lifted the trophy in 1995 after beating the All Blacks in the final, told BBC Sport: "We love being underdogs, I don't know why, but if we're underdogs we want to prove the world wrong.

"[New Zealand] are wonderful to watch, but if you stop them and put pressure on them you always have a chance. They've got the most incredible backline I've seen in many, many years. But I go back to our history and our history is one of margins. It's a decision here, a drop-goal there. It's somebody that loses his head when he shouldn't that will decide the game and I expect nothing less."

The two-time champions needed a late try to beat Wales in their quarter-final last weekend.