After 45 thrilling games of cricket, there are only four teams remaining at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

It is the business end of the global showpiece and by the end of the week there will be a new World Champion.

The Proteas are on course to reach the final for the first time ever, while the Black Caps of New Zealand are targeting a third straight appearance in the final.

The Australians, who will face South Africa in the semi-finals, are targeting a record-extending sixth title, while India are the favourites for a third title and a second in front of their home fans.

First, it’s the semi-finals that will get underway on Wednesday when India go up against the Black Caps.

This first semi-final will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and gets underway on Wednesday at 10:30.

Meanwhile, the Proteas take on their old rivals, Australia in Kolkata and following the recent five-match ODI series in South Africa, it will be a thrilling game.

Gerald Coetzee took 4/44 against Afghanistan - Cricinfo

The Proteas batter, Rassie van der Dussen, said from here on out there are no more second chances.

“I think it will probably be different in the sense that a lot of their guys have been in those situations before and have a good reference of how it is having won the World Cup and having played in the semi-final four years ago.

“So, in terms of that, they'll probably know what it's about a bit more I suppose, but it's on the day, it's what team rocks up, what team is switched on, what team executes their plans. We came into this tournament knowing that if we get a chance to win, we need to win because we've missed out on semi-final spots by very small margins.

“So, I suppose it was the same that second game against Australia, we came into that. From the start it's been almost like a must-win type of mindset for us.

“I don't think too much will be different. I think it will be a good game - they're a great team. They've played a lot of cricket in the last few months. Some of the guys are playing well. Some of our guys are playing well. I think it's going to be a good game.”

The Australians are on a five-match unbeaten run at the World Cup, but by the same token they have also lost their last four games against the Proteas which includes a 3-2 ODI series defeat in South Africa and a 134-runs drubbing in Lucknow at the tournament.

Mitchell Marsh - Cricinfo

Mitchell Marsh, who scored 177* during their 8-wicket win over Bangladesh, and captained the Aussies in South African said it’s been a gruelling tourment but they are excited to be in the last four.

“We're really excited for the semi-finals,” said Marsh.

“I think you look back to the start of the World Cup and a 9- one day game seems like a long way away.

“With the amount of improvement with all cricket teams around the world there's been not one easy game so to get to the semi-finals is great - but yeah, we're very excited about what lies ahead and the challenge that's ahead of us.”

Thursday’s game at the iconic Eden Gardens will be played from 10:30.

It will be the third time these two nations play in the semi-finals. In 1999, Australia famously beat the Proteas in Birmingham by virtue of a better net run rate and finishing higher on the Super Six table, after this semi-final finished in a draw.

In 2007 the Aussies beat the Proteas by 7-wickets in the Caribbean.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport