Underdogs New Zealand back themselves against anyone in "one-off games", declared captain Mitchell Santner Tuesday on the eve of their T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Kolkata.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Santner admitted that Aiden Markram's unbeaten South Africa, who comfortably beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the group stage, were "very good".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand have lost twice, also falling to England in the Super Eights, and squeaked into the semi-finals on net run-rate ahead of Pakistan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
South Africa, by contrast, enjoyed statement wins over India and the West Indies in the second phase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Whether you want to call us the underdogs or not, I think for us it is everyone's goal throughout the tournament to get to this stage," Santner told reporters at Eden Gardens.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We are here now and we back ourselves on one-off games against most teams, being able to adapt as quick as we can to what's in front of us.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"South Africa look like a very good outfit as they have shown.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I guess they are in the same boat as us now, it is one game and you are into the final," the left-arm spinner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand and South Africa have never won a cricket World Cup in either 50-over or T20 formats.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand will be playing their fourth semi-final in the last five T20 World Cups. They reached the final in 2021 but lost to Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
South Africa reached their maiden final in 2024, losing to India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It is probably two teams that have been in and around it for a long time. We know the heartbreak of South Africa two years ago.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It is whoever turns up on the day tomorrow, whoever sees the conditions the best."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand are the only semi-finalist to lose more than once in the tournament and defeated only two Test playing nations on the way to the last four -- Afghanistan and co-hosts Sri Lanka.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We haven't probably played the perfect game throughout this tournament," said Santner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"That's a good thing for us, if we can put it all together it can put us in a pretty good position.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think there is no real hiding or secrets about what South Africa are going to bring.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We know they are probably going to roll out the same team and a very good team."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry returned home for the birth of his second child after the defeat to England in Colombo on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Santner said the bowler would arrive back later Tuesday night.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He'll obviously have a little run around in the morning to see if he's ready to go."
\r\n <\/p>\r\n",
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