Johannesburg-born Grant Elliott hit a six off the penultimate ball to take New Zealand into their first World Cup final when they defeated the Proteas by four wickets in a rain-hit semi-final thriller at Eden Park on Tuesday. 

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Elliott smashed Dale Steyn into the stands as the South African native hit an undefeated 84 to earn a place in Sunday's title match in Melbourne where New Zealand will face either Australia or defending champions India.

Brendon McCullum made a 26-ball 59 and Corey Anderson (58) to also help the Black Caps to their rain-adjusted target of 298 after South Africa had made 281 for five batting first in a match reduced to 43 overs a side.

For South Africa, Faf de Plessis made 82, AB de Villiers was not out 65, while David Miller smashed an 18-ball 49.

"It is great. I don't think this win is for myself, or the team, it is for everyone here. The support has been amazing," said Elliott, who smashed Dale Steyn into the stands for the match-clinching six.

"We just wanted to take it as deep as we could. Corey Anderson (58) batted well and we timed the innings to perfection.

"When you have 40,000 fans screaming at you every ball, it has been an absolute pleasure playing at Eden Park and playing in front of the home crowd.

"We have had a good run, this is the first final we have been in and we will approach it as any other match."

"These boys, I am so proud of them. A lesser team would have laid down today. To see Grant come in and be as calm as he was… we've given ourselves a chance of the big prize," said McCullum.

"Credit to South Africa, they gave as good as they got. I feel for them at the moment. But our boys were outstanding. And it was a great semi-final."