Much of the country will come to a standstill from 2pm today as sports-mad Kiwis and South Africans head home or to bars and clubs to watch the best cricket has to offer.
It will be much the same in Rotorua as the Black Caps face South Africa in a
Cricket fever as Black Caps eye final
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Henry Mitchell. Ruck N Maul sports bar ready for cricket semi final. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
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"I do trust in our team but South Africa also have their match-winners so I think cricket and the Eden Park caterers will be the winners on the day - definitely not my bank account.
"If New Zealand lose, I will stand, raise a plastic mug of lukewarm stadium beer and salute our boys - it has been a golden 18 months for New Zealand cricket and we are privileged to be sharing every step they take."
A former Johannesburg man now living in Rotorua, Gavin Long, said he was nervous but thought his countrymen would make the final.
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"It's going to be a good one. I'm really impressed with the Kiwis at the moment, I'm never this nervous when we play you guys.
"Guptill can't possibly score another 200-plus score and if we can get past Southee, Boult and Vettori we can climb into the other Kiwi bowlers.
"I'm nervous as hell but for me it's 55 per cent South Africa, 45 per cent New Zealand."
But Mr Long said whoever made the final would lose to Australia.
"There's no other side that's as good as them right now."
Rotorua's Ruck 'n' Maul Sports Bar staff member Keith Mitchell said they expected a busy day.
"We had a full house in here Saturday and now everyone's an authority on cricket. It's a bit different, it's usually rugby and league," Mr Mitchell said.
"Business-wise, we are looking forward to it. I'm not a cricket fan but I like to follow a winning team, so of course I'm supporting the Kiwis ... our boys have hit their straps at the right time."
