Proteas rue missed chances in the field

South Africa have been left to lament several costly missed chances in the field in their heart-breaking World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand in Auckland.

Report & highlights: Ice-cool Kiwis into World Cup final

The Proteas were often brilliant on Tuesday night as they looked to defend a target of 298, saving several runs with some athletic work in the field.

Faf du Plessis also took a brilliant catch to remove the dangerous Corey Anderson, settling under a swirling high ball to take the chance and celebrate in fine style. 

Image Id: ~/media/1298B73B37C34458A72AC42CE939DE18

Du Plessis celebrates the wicket of Anderson // Getty

And wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock took a sharp leg-side catch to remove Ross Taylor off the bowling of JP Duminy.

But the Proteas also missed several clear opportunities, including two instances when a run-out chance went begging when the stumps were broken without the ball being in the fielder's hand.

The first such moment came in the 32nd over when captain AB de Villiers fumbled the ball as he was about to remove the bails at the non-strikers end to find Anderson well short of his ground.

With Anderson mid-pitch, de Villiers fumbled the throw as it arrived just inches off the ground before he broke the stumps with his arms and dislodged both bails.

As the skipper was falling forward, he regathered the ball and attempted to force a stump lose with the ball in his hand, but his valiant effort was to no avail.

Image Id: ~/media/CE8FE04A1CBF48B48AF82D61FDB08957

De Villiers tries in vain to dislodge the stumps // Getty

De Kock was involved in a similar incident in the 41st over.

The throw from the deep reached de Kock on the half-volley and, unable to collect the ball cleanly, the 'keeper removed the bails without the ball in hand with man-of-the-match Grant Elliott out of his crease.

Image Id: ~/media/68F1E1486DBE4D2CA9ABC5C3F5CA59AE

De Kock breaks the stumps without the ball in hand // Getty

Elliott had another let off one over later when substitute fielder Farhaan Behardien spilled a catch in the outfield when he was distracted by a late dive from incoming teammate JP Duminy.

The Kiwi batsman top-edged a pull shot to deep backward square leg and Behardien, substituting for the injured Vernon Philander, settled under the ball but just as he was about to take the catch, Duminy rushed in from fine leg and narrowly avoided a collision with his teammate.

The catch went down and Elliott finished unbeaten on 84 from just 73 balls as he steered his side home with just one ball to spare.

Image Id: ~/media/814E9968439A4121BA5AC2979A9140AE

Duminy and Behardien almost collide in the outifled // Getty

The Proteas also missed several sharp run out chances in the final overs and de Villiers admitted the missed opportunities hurt his side.

The skipper also impressively put his hand up for the missed chance in the 32nd over.

"We had our chances especially in the second half of the game and we didn't take it," he said after the match.

"(The run out I missed was) one of the moments. We had a few chances to win the game tonight. It's not the only chance.

"(I) tried my best to catch (it) and I didn't. Life moves on.

"I didn't take that, and unfortunately, we had our chance again after that.

"But, yes, if you want to see it that way, that I cost us, then I'll gladly take it."