South Africa are set to face southern hemisphere rivals New Zealand in the first of the World Cup semi-finals. The Springboks are, despite their turnaround in form, very much the underdogs against an All Black side which beat France by almost 50 points last weekend.

Route to the semifinals

Despite their illustrious history, two-time champions South Africa are something of surprise semifinalists, having lost to unfancied Japan in their first match of the tournament. Since then, though, they have been a different team, recovering with a big win over Scotland to win pool B, before overcoming Wales with a late try in a tight quarter-final.

New Zealand, by contrast, have looked entirely untroubled so far, topping their pool with more points than any other team despite not always looking entirely convincing, and humiliating France in what was a well deserved 49-point victory in the quarterfinals.

The two teams have been two of the most prolific try scorers in the competition, leading the World Cup in terms of tries scored in the pool stages, and including in their lineups the top three individual try scorers so far.

New Zealand's try scoring machine Julian Savea has scored eight in just four matches so far, while South Africa's Bryan Habana has tied Jonah Lomu for most World Cup tries, and is just five away from Daisuke Ohata's try scoring record in Test matches. Habana's five tries so far are the joint second best behind Savea.

Previous meetings

Somewhat unsurprisingly, New Zealand have won the majority of matches between the sides, winning 52 of their 90 fixtures. This does, incredibly, represent their worst winning record against any international side, and South Africa have won two of the teams' three matches at World Cups - the only team aside from Australia to hold a winning World Cup record over New Zealand.

Recent history makes for somewhat less comforting reading if you are South African, though, the All Blacks winning nine of the most recent eleven. Although the last three have been decided by seven points or fewer, it's tough to see the increasingly impressive New Zealand falling to a defeat here.

Heyneke Meyer impressed by opponents

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has been heaping praise on New Zealand, going so far as to call them ''the best team to have played the game'', and describing the quarterfinal as ''the biggest test ever'' for his team. He is perhaps keen to paint his side as the underdog, and take the pressure off his players after rising expectations.

''He's a cunning wee devil is Heyneke'', was the response of All Black coach Steve Hansen, wise to his opposite number's strategy. ''Whilst I know he means some of it, I know they are getting ready to rip our heads off,'' Hansen and his team are not going to be tricked into underestimating South Africa.

All Blacks clear favourites

It does, however, seem tough to argue with Meyer's assessment of the defending champions. Rarely are 49-point victories over top-tier nations seen, even more rarely are we somewhat surprised it wasn't more.

New Zealand put on a masterclass against the French, and if they can bring something like that form into the last four, they will be extremely tough for the improving Springboks to overcome.

Perhaps most ominous of all for South Africa was Hansen's remark looking forward to the match: ''I don't think we have played our best rugby...we need our 'A' game and a little bit more'."

Teams

South Africa: Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez (captain); Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw; Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Victor Matfield, Willem Alberts, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.

New Zealand: Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read; Aaron Smith, Dan Carter, Julian Savea, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Ben Smith.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.