South Africa batsman David Miller believes his side are ready for a journey into the "unknown" when they face New Zealand in a World Cup semi-final in Auckland on Tuesday. Since being allowed into cricket's showpiece event in 1992 ahead of the collapse of apartheid, South Africa have failed to get past the semi-final stage on three occasions and are still awaiting a maiden World Cup final appearance.
New Zealand's record is even worse, with the Black Caps having lost all six of their previous World Cup semi-finals.
Yet it is the Proteas who carry the unwanted tag of 'chokers', a label they went some way to removing with a thumping nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals - South Africa's first victory in the knockout phase of any World Cup.
"It's something that's the unknown," said Miller on Sunday of the prospect of playing either Australia or defending champions India, who meet in the second semi in Sydney on Thursday, in the March 29 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
"It's a very exciting time. In eight days we could be world champions but it's just one step at a time, take things slowly as they come," Miller added.
Tuesday's semi-final takes place at Eden Park.
Better known as a rugby venue, the ground's short straight boundaries were expected to lead to a glut of fours and sixes during the World Cup.
However, Eden Park has staged two low-scoring thrillers during the tournament - New Zealand's one-wicket win over fellow co-hosts Australia and Pakistan's 29-run defeat of South Africa.
Nevertheless, the big-hitting Miller is aiming to cash in any way he can.
"Hopefully, I can mishit a few straight sixes," he said. "That's just the way the field is and it's cool to be playing on it."
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