Black Caps coach Mike Hesson says the team shared some emotional words with each other and the Proteas in the changing room following the big semifinal.
"It was pretty loud initially. Just a lot of excitement. After that just sitting down and reflecting."
The South African team came in tothe Black Caps' dressing room about half an hour after the game, Hesson said.
"It was a heck of a game of cricket and I think we realised it could have gone either way.
"The guys have got a fair bit of humility there and empathy towards the South Africans and how well they played."
He said he had a "whole heap of emotion and a whole heap of pride" watching the team win the game.
Hesson revealed the team management was split between the box and down by the field at the end of the game and too nervous to miss the big moment to move between.
He said he leapt from his seat and hugged everyone in sight when Grant Elliott took the six to win the game.
Hesson said he never doubted the team could take the victory, especially after captain Brendon McCullum's batting display to start the innings.
"There were a lot of times I thought we were behind the eight-ball ... The fact that we got 70 off the first five overs got us ahead of the game so we could bat properly."
Hesson said Daniel Vettori, who could be nearing the end of his international career, was emotional after the game.
McCullum told media this was potentially Vettori's last game on home soil.
"To be out there at the end and be as instrumental and calm as he was under pressure, I couldn't think of two better blokes to have out there at the wily old age of 36.
"No one would dispute how good they've been throughout this tournament, we had to play exceptionally well to beat them and even then it was only a small margin."
The Black Caps fly to Melbourne this afternoon, where they will begin preparations for the biggest match of their lives.
