Mitchell Starc, who has had a relatively quiet tournament, is ready to bowl the first ball to Quinton de Kock, who certainly has not.

Here we go...

Firdose Moonda
Cricinfo writer on BBC Test Match Special

I think South Africa will just be thinking, let's just have a good day out, enjoy ourselves. A lot of them won't even have been born in 1999 so it's just a narrative that has been attached to them, but doesn't mean anything to them.

They weren't even expecting to make the semi-finals so they have already exceeded many expectations.

Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

It is warm and muggy, so that might lend itself to Australia's swing bowlers.

The teams are out and it is time for the national anthems.

Very different vibes to the two anthems but both are belted out by the players and those in the stands.

We're just a few moments away from the first ball of this semi-final!

Firdose Moonda
Cricinfo writer on BBC Test Match Special

Australia have had the better of South Africa historically.

But they are two teams that know each other well. This isn't about who is the best team with skill - this is about who can win the mental battle.

As a country, South Africa is having a tough time. Sport is what makes people happy, the Springboks victory made people happy. We need it.

And for Bavuma, our first black captain. He represents us and he represents what is possible as a South African.

Geoff Lemon
BBC Test Match Special commentator

Australia would have loved to bat first purely to deny South Africa the chance to do it.

It's a bit psychological difference for South Africa, they have such a mental block with chasing and it's well known.

I am not surprised that they have gone for Labuschagne over Stoinis but it is a definite question. He and Smith glue the middle order together but they do slow things down. Sometimes it's necessary if they lose a couple of wickets but it's so dependent on what the situation is.

It's a risky one because they could be chasing a big total. You want Labuschagne if you're chasing 280, you want Stoinis if you're chasing 350.

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden, wearing an, erm, interesting pink cowboy hat brings the World Cup trophy out onto the outfield.

It's an eye-catching bit of headwear, I have to say. It's already been labelled his 'Hen do Hayden' look by someone here in the office.

Firdose Moonda
Cricinfo writer on BBC Test Match Special

Yes, that is so important. It is what they do best, it is how they are comfortable winning so that is very significant.

Tabraiz Shamsi hasn't played every game but he has been effective whenever he has. Lungi Ngidi did have an ankle niggle, but we understand that he was passed fit to play so it is a decisive move to go for the second spinner.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

Firdose, I saw that grin on your face when you saw the result of the toss!

Image source, Getty Images

These two took part in one of the most famous - possibly the most famous - Cricket World Cup semi-finals in the tournament's history.

South Africa looked set for victory at Edgbaston in 1999 and a place in the final, only for one of the most dramatic finishes to leave the game tied after Allan Donald was run out in a manner that straddled the line between comedy and tragedy.

(It's harder than you'd think to get a decent picture of that moment, though...)

It's the first cricket match I have clear memories of. What a game it was!

Australia: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.

Australia captain Pat Cummins: "We would have had a bat as well but it's pretty gloomy out there so maybe there will be a bit of swing early.

"They play a similar style to how we play. They match up similarly in all the roles and they've won the last few against us but I think we're due.

"We've been in these positions before and come out the other side. We've got a lot of experience we can draw on.

"We weren't at our best in the first couple of games, we learnt what we look like when we're not at our best and we've adjusted really well.

"I think you've seen the guys be really positive in the last seven games and we've win a couple of games that we had no right to win.

"We've come back really well and are starting to click."

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma: "We did consider the weather but those are things you can't control. We are still confident with batting first.

"I'm not 100% but it will be enough.

"It's a massive occasion for me. I never dreamt I would have this responsibility for my country. I know that I am carrying the hopes of a lot of people back home.

"But we are focusing on the game in front of us and won't think about that too much, but it does mean so much to me.

"We had some nice messages from the rugby team this morning, their performances have inspired us massively and it would mean a lot to us to carry that on.

"We're not talking about the past. We are talking about our processes that work for us and keep playing the cricket that we have been."

This was a big toss given South Africa's success batting first and their struggles chasing.

Pat Cummins calls incorrectly, though, so South Africa get their wish.

Temba Bavuma, who admits he is not 100% fit, quickly opts to bat first.

After India stormed past New Zealand to reach the World Cup final yesterday, it is over to Australia and South Africa as they battle it out to join them.

It was a scorcher in Mumbai but it's an overcast day in Kolkata. The covers were even on earlier but it is dry now and we're all set to start on time.

Australia are seeking to win a sixth World Cup crown, while South Africa are aiming to reach a men's final for the very first time.

These two have previous in World Cup semi-finals as well...

Image source, Getty Images