South Africa are starting to pick up more singles now to increase the run-rate. They snatch three of them during another good Vettori over. What will McCullum do to try and hit back after this SA counter-attack?

Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"What fascinates me here is the field. We're in the 21st over of a one-day international and there's a slip and a gully. There are wicket-taking options all around the wicket - the rub of the green normally goes for you when you take the aggressive option, and it's worked for Brendon McCullum since he's been New Zealand captain."

There is a shot of aggression. Du Plessis takes a couple of steps down the track and lofts an off-drive over mid-off for a one-bounce four off Southee to bring up the 50 partnership. He follows this with another attacking stroke to drive a yorker back past the bowler for another four. After a poor start, the Proteas are starting to amass a score.

South Africa 77-2 (20 overs)

Batsmen: Du Plessis 26*, Rossouw 20*

Fall of wicket: 21-1 (Amla 10), 31-2 (De Kock 14)

Bowling figures: Southee 5-1-19-0, Boult 7-0-38-2, Henry 5-2-9-0, Vettori 3-0-11-0.

South Africa won toss

Scorecard

Image source, AFP

Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special

"I can remember Viv Richards belting us around the MCG and getting 150, which we thought was incredible. Now batsmen are scoring 200s in this format. Brendon McCullum's kept a very attacking field here."

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Sportsgamer: Love the way McCullum uses his bowlers - great variety but will leave a guy on if he is on fire.

There are very few assured, assertive shots being played by this SA pair. Case in point: an attempted reverse sweep from Rossouw off Vettori that he completed misjudges and misses. Just the one run off the over.

Image source, AFP

Marcus Downie: I can't be the only one to notice Trent Boult's uncanny resemblance to Stewart Downing.

Michael Rawlence: Hope the England team are watching and squirming, I mean learning.

Alex in Bournemouth: Never mind Johnson and the Aussies, England have no hope against Southee and Boult in May. Any chance we can swap and play Bangladesh instead? Oh wait a minute...

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Auckland

"There's always a lot of former pros around the press box on match days, but having Allan Border in the TMS box has left me a little starstruck. If there was a player-turned-pundit XI, he'd have a shout wouldn't he? Maybe even as captain?"

Henry's work is done for now. Five overs for nine runs is a pretty fine effort from the new guy. Southee returns and keeps the pressure on the batsman - assisted by more good fielding, this time from Vettori, who comes close to running out Du Plessis with a throw to the non-striker's end. The bowler is also unlucky with a full delivery that catches an inside edge from Rossouw that sends the ball fine of fine leg for four.

Liam, Wellington, NZ: Eden Park is comically sized for a cricket ground. Schoolboys wouldn't play on such small park. Extraordinary that such an unsuitable venue should serve for a World Cup semi-final!

Image source, AFP

Mike Johns: Brilliant fielding by the @BLACKCAPS, not giving SA anything.

I stand corrected, the first ball of this Vettori over is the easiest wide the umpires will get to call today. It is way down leg and beats Ronchi before rolling away to the boundary. That is an utter gift. The remainder of the over is more classic Vettori, going for just two more runs and including yet another example of superb NZ fielding - a diving stop from skipper McCullum at short mid-wicket.

Neil Manthorp
BBC Test Match Special

On Twitter:, external Stunning atmosphere... wonder if it'll calm down during the 'middle overs'? Proteas have absorbed four tons of pressure per square inch.

Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special

"New Zealand have traditionally always been underdogs, and have done well to reach World Cup semi-finals, but I think this tournament has changed for them. All of a sudden, there's expectation. I always thought Australia, New Zealand and South Africa would be semi-finalists - I'd like to say I predicted India as well, but I think I went for someone else."

Henry remains in the attack and bowls his first really loose ball with a short, wide one that is the easiest wide call the umpire will get all day. Du Plessis pulls the following ball for a single but Henry tightens his line and pins Rossouw at the striker's end before he claims a quick single with a push up the ground. After the excitement of the early wickets, Eden Park is back on simmer.

Image source, Getty Images

Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special

"For Australia, I don't think it matters who they play in the final, if they get there. New Zealand and South Africa are both very experienced in these conditions. If you're in the final, you've done the hard yards, you just need to bring your best game on the day."

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Comedian Andy Zaltzman:, external Matt Henry has bowled as many maidens in his three-over World Cup so far as Jimmy Anderson & Chris Woakes did in 83 overs between them (two). Incidentally, Trent Boult has bowled 14 maidens this World Cup. Next highest: 7 (Shami, Southee, Steyn).

Hete comes Daniel Vettori to bring some expert spin to proceedings. He almost makes an immediate impact with a rising short ball that Du Plessis looks to drive off the back foot through cover but flashes his bat just inside the ball. Rochi claims and looks to the sky in frustration at the lack of an edge. Three singles follow to take SA past 60. Time for drinks.

Dennis Ethan: Vettori, Tim Southee and Trent Boult should take the game away from South Africa.