An error prone South Africa were made to pay, as Grant Elliot's heroics propelled New Zealand to a historic four-wicket win in the semi-final at Auckland on Tuesday.
As Grant Elliot slammed what may be the most important six in New Zealand's cricket history, off Dale Steyn, one can't help but feel sorry for South Africa skipper AB De Villiers, who was left in tears, post the nerve-wracking contest.
With De Villiers and comrade-in-arms, Morne Morkel walking disconsolate post the painful four-wicket defeat at Auckland on Tuesday, there were at least five instances when South Africa literally dropped the game.
You've just dropped the cup mate!
JP Duminy (L) and Farhaan Behardien (R) messed up an easy catch off Grant Elliot (PTI)
'Catches win matches' - the old adage certainly applied to South Africa in this thriller, as a costly drop off Elliot ultimately proved to be their death-knell.
Match-hero Elliot was given a lifeline on 77, when he was incredibly dropped, thanks to a horrendous mix up between Farhaan Behardien and JP Duminy, near the boundary.
The catch was Behardien's to take, when Duminy needlessly attempted to intervene and made a mess of a sitter.
Remember Herschelle Gibbs' infamous drop off Steve Waugh way back in 1999?
Read on.
Butterfingers De Villiers
AB De Villiers fluffed an easy run-out chance (getty images)
Ironically it was AB De Villiers, who fluffed up a simple run-out, midway through the New Zealand innings, which could have ended Corey Anderson's incredible adventure.
Despite Anderson being way short of the crease (in quest for a never-existent single), De Villiers quite comically dislodged the stumps without the ball in hand, thus resulting in another goof-up.
South Africa paid heavily for that blunder as Anderson went on to score a fine 58, and played a stellar role in New Zealand's historic win.
Steyn's last minute injury
Dale Steyn broke down at a crucial moment (Reuters)
Dale Steyn who bowled that epochal final over to Elliot, was first struck by a thigh injury, which may have played a huge role in South Africa's agonising defeat.
Though it may never be known as to whether Steyn would have helped banish South Africa's semi-final jinx, yet that moment of the pace-gun being tended to by team medics at the fag end was definitely defining.
Who knows, a fully fit Steyn may have barreled in a yorker or two and could have thus ended New Zealand's fairy-tale cup journey.
Another run-out chance fluffed
South Africa react after missing a crucial run-out chance (AFP)
South Africa missed another run-out chance in the last over, when the ball was sent spraying to both ends of the pitch.
That proved to be damaging as it took Vettori off strike and brought specialist batsman Elliot on crease.
The full length delivery to Elliot
Steyn's last ball to Elliot proved to be the final nail in South Africa's coffin, as the latter went heave-ho and sent the ball amidst thousands of ecstatic fans.
Elliot's may well have scored the most important six of his life, as it finally broke New Zealand's long standing semi-final jinx.
And as for Steyn...ah well. The pacer and the whole of South Africa may have been lamenting as to what may have been.
Meanwhile, the South African jinx continues!
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