South Africa have still never reached the final of an ICC Cricket World Cup after losing at the semi-final stage for the fourth time in a nail-biter with New Zealand , doing little end their tag as chokers . The Proteas won their first ever knock-out match in a World Cup against Sri Lanka for the chance to meet the Black Caps at Eden Park but fell in a thrilling match reduced to 43 overs each in Auckland . The set New Zealand 298 courtesy of 50s from AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis but had their hearts broken when Grant Elliott , who was born in Johannesburg , hit a six to win the match with a ball to spare . South Africa quick Dale Steyn appears shocked after being hit for the match-winning six by Grant Elliott . Elliott was dropped with New Zealand still 14 runs short of victory when JP Duminy ( left ) collideed with substitute fielder Farhaan Behardien in the outfield as South Africa fall short again at a World Cup . The ball slips through the hands of Behardien ( right ) as Duminy is helpless to assist during the defeat . When it really mattered , they fumbled two clear run-out chances and then saw JP Duminy and Farhaan Behardien collide in the deep when Eliott skied one with 14 needed for victory . It certainly was n't the first time South Africa has so close yet so far - here Sportsmail looks at the Proteas ' worst World Cup chokes . South African captain AB de Villiers dives to try and run out New Zealand batsman Corey Anderson . De Villiers falls over the stumps as Anderson was given a reprieve on his way to 58 from 57 balls . 1996 QUARTER-FINAL VS WEST INDIES , KARACHI , PAKISTAN . West Indies legend Brian Lara celebrates his century against South Africa in 1996 . When Brian Lara dragged West Indies to 264 with a classy 111 in a fast even for modern standards 94 ball , with help only from a young Shivnarine Chanderpaul with 56 , it was a gettable total for the South Africa . And they looked to be making short work of it as they cruised to 118 for one at the halfway mark . However , a spectacular collapse sparked by Windies ' left-arm spinner Jimmy Adams saw a very different story emerge . Opener Andrew Hudson went for 54 for the second wicket , Daryll Cullinan followed two runs later for 69 . Captain Hansie Cronje showed some resistance with 40 before he became Adams ' third scalp . Fellow spinner Roger Harper then took over in Karachi , ripping through the middle order of Jonty Rhodes , Brian McMillan and Shaun Pollock , and then knocked over one of their two proper tail-enders in Steven Palframanfor . When Courtney Walsh knocked over Paul Adams ' stumps the Proteas fell short on 245 . Brian McMillan walks off the pitch as keeper Courtney Brown celebrates Roger Harper catching him LBW . 1999 SEMI-FINAL VS AUSTRALIA , EDGBASTON , ENGLAND . South Africa and Australia ended tied on 213 , but the Aussies ’ record in the Super Six stage saw them advance to the final . Lance Klusener appeared to be leading the Proteas to victory , smashing Damien Fleming for successive fours in the first two balls of the opening over to equal Australia 's total . With four balls remaining , South Africa needed just a single . Alan Donald was almost run out by Darren Lehmann trying to back up too far at the non-striker 's end . Then , farcically , with two balls remaining , Klusener hit a ball straight past the bowler and ran safely to the danger end . However , Donald stood his ground his ground and their near-certain win became another prematures World Cup exit as Adam Gilchrist whipped off the bails . South Africa 's Lance Klusener , batting at an astonishing No 8 , smashes 31 off just 16 balls against Australia . Despite his heroics , Klusener is halfway off the field after an ill-fated quick single that ended the game tied . Allan Donald refused to go for the quick single they required and was run out as the Aussies celebrates . 2011 QUARTER-FINAL VS NEW ZEALAND , DHAKA , BANGLADESH . South Africa should have been more than capable of chasing down New Zealand ’ s total of 221 , and much like 1996 against the Windies were cruising to victory at 108 for two . But then came another collapse of monumental proportions . Jaques Kallis ( 47 ) was a big loss for the third wicket at 108-3 , before spinning opener Nathan McCullum claimed JP Duminy and AB de Villiers was run out for the fourth and fifth wickets on 121 . Faf du Plessis ' attempt to lead them home ended on 36 as the ninth wicket fell for 172 , their final score when Morne Morkel was dismissed by Luke Woodcock . AB de Villiers was devastated to be run out as South Africa collapsed in their failed chase in Bangladesh . Brendon McCullum , now New Zealand captain , runs out De Villiers , now the best batsman in the world . Luke Woodcock ( right ) celebrates after taking the wicket of Morne Morkel to win the 2011 quarter-final . New Zealand celebrate with star bowler Jacob Oram , who caught Jaques Kallis and took four wickets .
New Zealand defeated South Africa in their World Cup quarter-final . The Proteas were in the box seat to win before Grant Elliott 's innings . The loss follows a series of heart-breaking knockout stage exits . South Africa have still never reached a World Cup final .