South Africa accelerated to a daunting 281 for five at Eden Park in a rain-reduced 43-over World Cup semi-final which, under the Duckworth-Lewis method, amounts to a boosted chase of 298 for New Zealand.
It could have been worse. If the visitors had accessed their allotment the total was tracking towards 350-plus.
Incoming rain at 4.51pm played to New Zealand's strategic advantage by cancelling the momentum generated in the 103-run stand between Faf du Plessis (82 off 107 balls) and AB de Villiers (65 off 45).
Whether intentional or not, the pair went a way to exacting 2011 Dhaka quarter-final utu for an ugly confrontation between the teams when de Villiers was run out with du Plessis at the crease.
Before the World Cup, du Plessis had a vision: "In my perfect world I would like to play New Zealand in the semi-final and have that same situation arise again.
"But this time it will be the other way around. We'll be the team that's on top, and we can do the same to them."
He and his teammates get a chance to flesh out this plan shortly, or possibly tomorrow, if rain persists.
South Africa are in a strong position - more than 288 has been chased down once before at Eden Park, by New Zealand in 2007 against Australia when they scored 340 for five in 48.4 overs.
The innings threatened to reduce the country's OECD status via a lack of office and manufacturing productivity, if the crowd was a gauge.
The early cacophony diminished as du Plessis and Rilee Rossouw overcame the loss of Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock to Trent Boult which left them 31 for two in the eighth over. They conserved their energy as the third-wicket partnership built to 83 off 110 balls.
Rossouw flashed at a cut and was caught one-handed by Guptill from Corey Anderson's short and wide second ball. Rossouw's exit, for 39 off 53, was the curtain-raiser for captain AB de Villiers' entry.
De Villiers and du Plessis had swotted up on the New Zealand attack. They came together at 114 for three in the 26th over, eased to 129 after 30 and then produced the exponential entertainment. Six overs in the first 30 went at more than a run-a-ball compared to 11 of the last 13.
South Africa scored 87 runs in eight overs until rain disrupted play. They made 65 in five upon the resumption.
De Villiers looked invincible, giving the impression of a premonition when bowlers approached, such was the speed of his footwork and hands through the ball. His late cuts, guided through a slip cordon that McCullum opted to vacate, were imperious as he gave himself room stepping towards leg and opened the face. He was merciless driving, pulling and generally clobbering any length that took his fancy, particularly against Anderson.
Southee also struggled with his lengths when he bowled full with mid-off up but he adjusted better when long-off was set later in the final overs.
Anderson snared Rossouw, du Plessis - the second ball after the resumption with a review for a wide - and Miller for 49 off 18 in an innings that looked more like golf. He scored his runs in a 55-run fifth-wicket stand with de Villiers. Anderson went for 72 from his six overs. He highlighted one of New Zealand's inadequacies; filling the allotment of a fifth bowler.
Kane Williamson and Grant Elliott were also used as captain Brendon McCullum gambled his main resources of Boult and Daniel Vettori early. Matt Henry made a solid contribution with none for 40 from eight, including two maidens, in his sudden elevation after a turbulent 48 hours. His first five overs conceded just nine runs as he rose the 'Hen-ree' chant echoing around the stadium.
- by Andrew Alderson
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (captain), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Trent Boult
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (captain), Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir
