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Hosts England sauntered into the Champions Trophy final after South Africa 'choked' in yet another semi-final when they were bowled out for 175 in fairly benign conditions at The Oval on Wednesday.
South Africa were favourites heading into the tournament but limped through the group stage and have now bowed out in eight major international last-four clashes and won only one.
England, not among the favourites going into cricket's second 50-over competition after losing a home one-day series to New Zealand, scored 179 for three to knock off the required runs in 37.3 overs and win by seven wickets with Jonathan Trott notching 82 not out.
"It's what you want in a semi-final, it was a good toss to win but you've still got to execute those plans and it was an outstanding performance again," England captain Alastair Cook said at the presentation ceremony.
David Miller top-scored for South Africa with 56 not out as the Proteas lasted only 38.4 overs, Miller's ninth-wicket stand of 95 with Rory Kleinveldt (43) the only highlight.
England, who face India or Sri Lanka in Sunday's final, won the toss under overcast skies and soon had South Africa reeling at four for two after James Anderson and the returning Steven Finn removed Colin Ingram and Hashim Amla in their first overs.
"It hasn't swung conventionally but when it does Jimmy Anderson is the best in the world and that was an outstanding opening spell," Cook said.
Robin Peterson, again promoted up the order, tried to steady the ship with 30 but was trapped lbw by Anderson before captain De Villiers (nought) and JP Duminy (three) followed in quick succession.
Spinner James Tredwell, continuing in the absence of the injured Graeme Swann, took his second wicket when Faf du Plessis (26) edged behind a cut shot with the ball barely spinning.
Slip Trott expertly ran out Ryan McLaren for one after the batsman had advanced down the track to man of the match Tredwell, who took three for 19.
The tail wagged as Kleinveldt hit an ODI best but paceman Stuart Broad dismissed him and Lonwabo Tsotsobe in successive balls to finish off the innings and end up with three for 50.
The batsmen mainly had themselves to blame with England bowling well but not spectacularly as the white ball again failed to move significantly.
STEADYING PRESENCE
South Africa, without injured fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, snared Cook for six and Ian Bell for 20 as they rotated bowlers almost every over early on.
However, South Africa-born Trott settled well in his inimitably slow style, sparking a Mexican wave in the crowd.
His cautious batting was criticised in the group-stage loss to Sri Lanka as an anathema in the modern explosive one-day game but his steadying presence was key to England's pursuit after a rocky start.
Joe Root (48) was equally watchful as the sun threatened to break through and rumoured rain failed to materialise.
South African fans were few and far between at the almost full Oval with many diehards aware of their terrible record in semi-finals having previously lost three in World Cups, three in Champions Trophies and one in a World Twenty20.
They famously threw away a 1999 World Cup semi against Australia when a last-ball run out caused a tie and the mental scars appear to be deep with the 1998 Champions Trophy their only major success.
"I won't say the toss was that important, we didn't play well, we were under pressure from the word go and you have to give credit to the English bowlers," De Villers said.
"We tried everything with the ball, we just couldn't get that breakthrough and get four, five and six. There are no excuses - I believe we have the talent and the potential to have won this tournament, but we didn't play well enough."
The second semi-final between world champions India and Sri Lanka takes place on Thursday in Cardiff with England awaiting the winners at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday.
ENGLAND INNINGS
England thrashed South Africa by seven wickets in the first semifinal to advance to the finals of the Champion Trophy at The Oval on Wednesday.
Chasing a modest target of 176, England were home with plenty of overs to spare thanks an unbeaten half century from Jonathan Trott (82).
When England lost openers Cook and Bell in quick succession, South Africa must have fancied their chances of producing a miracle.
Joe Root (48) and Trott figured an enterprising 105-run stand for the third wicket to dash their hopes of a fightback.
Root hit seven boundaries in his knock while Trott cracked 11 boundaries, including the winning hit, during his run-a-ball 82.
Trott drives Peterson through the covers for the winning boundary as England romp to an easy seven-wicket victory with more than 12 overs to spare.
Morgan slams consecutive boundaries off Morris as England race to victory. Eng 175-3 in 37 overs.
Trott is on fire cracking consecutive boundaries off Tsotsobe as England are cruising to victory. Eng 158-3 in 35 overs.
Roots hits a couple of boundaries off Duminy but fall short of a half century attemptng to paddle sweep only to be bowled. Eng 146-3.
J Root b Duminy 48 (71b 7x4 0x6)
The third wicket stand between Trott and Root yielded 105 runs.
Trott slams another boundary off Peterson to complete his 22nd ODI half century. Eng 111-2 in 26 overs.
Roots gets his first boundary smacking Tsotsobe through the covers. Eng 72-2 in 19 overs.
Trott seems to be leading England's victory charge smashing another boundary through the covers off Tsotsobe. Eng 61-2 in 17 overs.
Trott is on song hitting his third boundary with a straight drive off Peterson. Eng 45-2 in 12 overs.
South Africa strike another blow as Bell is caught behind. Eng 41-2.
I Bell c de Villiers b Kleinveldt 20 (30b 2x4 0x6)
Peterson bowls a maiden over as England finish their Powerplays over on 39-1.
Trott smashes another boundary off Morris through midwicket.
Trott opens with a boundary off the first ball from Morris. Eng 26-1 in 7 overs.
Morris strikes the first blow as Cook is caught behind. Eng 26-1 in 7 overs
A Cook c de Villiers b Morris 6 (21b 0x4 0x6)
Left arm spinner Peterson has been given the new ball. Eng 6-0 in 2 overs.
Morris opens the attack for South Africa as Cook and Bell bat for England.
South Africa risked 'choking' in yet another semi-final after England ripped through their ranks to restrict them to 175 all out from 38.4 overs in their Champions Trophy clash on Wednesday.
It could have been worse for South Africa had it not been for a ninth-wicket stand of 95 between David Miller (56 not out) and Rory Kleinveldt (43).
England won the toss under overcast skies at The Oval and soon had South Africa reeling at four for two after James Anderson and the returning Steven Finn removed Colin Ingram and Hashim Amla in their opening overs.
Robin Peterson, again promoted up the order, tried to steady the ship with 30 but was then trapped lbw by Anderson before captain AB de Villiers (duck) and JP Duminy (three) followed in quick succession.
Spinner James Tredwell, continuing in the absence of the injured Graeme Swann, took his second wicket when Faf du Plessis (26) edged behind a cut shot with the ball barely spinning.
Slip Jonathan Trott expertly ran out Ryan McLaren for one after the batsman had advanced down the track to Tredwell, who took three for 19, before the tail wagged as Miller top scored and Kleinveldt hit an ODI best.
South Africa, who were without injured pace bowler Dale Steyn, have never won a major international cricket title despite their prowess and famously threw away a 1999 World Cup semi against Australia when a last-ball run out caused a tie.
Five other international semi-final defeats have come and gone since for the Proteas, who mainly had themselves to blame at The Oval with England bowling well but not spectacularly as the white ball again failed to move significantly.
Hosts England will now fancy their chances of knocking off the runs and reaching the final of cricket's second 50-over tournament at Edgbaston on Sunday. The second semi-final between India and Sri Lanka takes place on Thursday in Cardiff.
SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS
A defiant 95-run stand between David Miller (56 not out) and Rory Kleinveldt (43) helped South Africa recover to make 175 all after being put into bat.
South Africa were in danger of being bowled out for under 100 tottering at 80-8 when Miller and Kleinveldt launched a counter attack taking the Batting Powerplay early.
Anderson and Finn rocked South Africa early as Ingram and Amla departed in quick succession.
Peterson (30) and Faf du Plessis (26) showed some fight but the rest of batting caved in tamely with Tredwell having them in a spin.
Buttler had a memorable day taking six catches behind the stumps.
Anderson claimed two for 14 while Broad came in for some stick claiming three for 50.
Tredwell had the best figures of 7-1-19-3.
South Africa are all out for 175 in the 39th over as Tsotsobe is caught behind by Buttler.
L Tsotsobe c Buttler b Broad 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
Buttler takes a superb catch as Kleinveldt becomes his fifth victim as Broad breaks the defiant ninth wicket stand which yielded 95 runs. SA 175-9.
R Kleinveldt c Buttler b Broad 43 (61b 4x4 1x6)
Miller cracks another boundary off Bopara. SA 174-8 in 38 overs.
Miller swings Broad for a boundary and completes his fifty off just 45 balls. SA 168-8 in 37 overs.
Kleinveldt smashes Bopara through midwicket for a boundary. SA 159-8 in 36 overs.
Kleinveldt and Miller hit a couple of boundaries off Root. SA 152-8 in 35 overs.
Kleinveldt smashes a six off Root to bring up the 50 partnership for the ninth wicket with Miller in 49 balls. SA 133-8 in 31 overs.
Tredwell bowls a maiden over to Kleinveldt as South Africa make 38 in the Batting Powerplay. SA 120-8 in 29 overs.
Miller smashes an amazing six over extra cover off Broad. SA 118-8 in 28 overs.
Miller hits the first six of the launching into Finn as South Africa take the Batting Powerplay in the 24th over.
Tredwell claims his third wicket having Morris caught behind by Buttler. SA 80-8.
C Morris c Buttler b Tredwell 3 (6b 0x4 0x6)
Finn bowls a maiden over to Miller. SA 78-7 in 22 overs.
South Africa are collapsing like nine pins as McLaren is run out. SA 76-6.
R McLaren run out 1 (5b 0x4 0x6)
Miller slams Finn past point for a much-needed boundary for South Africa. SA 76-6 in 20 overs.
Tredwell claims his second wicket as Du Plessis is caught behind. SA 70-6.
F du Plessis c Buttler b Tredwell 26 (39b 3x4 0x6)
Tredwell strikes Duminy is bowled off an inside edge. SA 63-5.
JP Duminy b Tredwell 3 (11b 0x4 0x6)
Broad strikes as De Villiers is caught behind by Buttler. SA 50-4
AB de Villiers c Buttler b Broad 0 (9b 0x4 0x6)
A superb wicket maiden over by Anderson. SA 45-3
R Peterson lbw b Anderson 30 (41b 4x4 0x6)
South Affrica ends the first powerplay with 45 runs for 2 wickets.
Peterson smashes three consecutive boundaries off Finn. SA 29-2
Peterson hits the first boundary through the covers off Finn. SA 11-2.
Sensational start by England as Amla hangs out his bat to Finn getting a bottom edge to be caught behind by Buttler. SA 4-2.
H Amla c Buttler b Finn 1 (3b 0x4 0x6)
Anderson strikes in the fifth ball of the match trapping Ingram leg before for a duck. SA 1-1.
C Ingram lbw b Anderson 0 (5b 0x4 0x6)
Smith, Kallis, Steyn and Morkel out for SA in Champions Trophy semi-final while Swann and Bresnan are also both out for England.
PLAYING XI
England - Alastair Cook (capt), Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler (wk), Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, James Tredwell, James Anderson, Steven Finn.
South Africa - Colin Ingram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers (capt, wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, David Miller, Ryan McLaren, Robin Peterson, Chris Morris, Rory Kleinveldt, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
The first semifinal CT2013 will be played at Kennington Oval.
Update: All eyes will be on England and on their bowlers, after allegations of ball tampering were levelled against the host nation.
Umpires are now prone to 'changing' the ball if they notice too much reverse swing, which means the batsmen can possibly complain as well.
England and South Africa will hope lady luck does not desert them when they clash in the Champions Trophy semi-final at the Oval in London later today.
Both sides, aiming to end a frustrating wait for a major one-day title, are fortunate to make the last four in the eight-nation tournament, saved either by the weather or their rivals' bad luck.
South Africa sneaked a tie -- and gain a valuable point -- at Cardiff last week when rain forced the game to end with the West Indies on the exact Duckworth-Lewis par score of 190-6 in 26.1 overs.
If Pollard had not been dismissed off what turned out to be the last ball of the match, the West Indies would have won the game and qualified for the semi-finals after being ahead of the D/L target at that stage.
England were lucky the weather favoured them in Cardiff on Sunday as the hosts squeezed out a 10-run win over New Zealand in a game reduced to 24-overs-a-side due to rain.
A washed-out match or a defeat would almost certainly have knocked England out of the race and lifted the Black Caps into the semifinals along with either Sri Lanka or Australia.
However, all that is history now and only today matters.
Not for the first time, South Africa will go into a match as favourites.
Emirates 24|7 prediction:
Weather and pitch staying even, South Africa will win, as they have a much better batting line-up and arguably the best approach to limited overs cricket.
Why we don’t fancy England
England's insistence on sticking with their Test match approach to the first 30 overs relies too heavily on an out- of-form Eoin Morgan and the hit-and-miss Butler to put up a defendable total.
Had it not been for the consistent performances of the much-maligned Ravi Bopara, England would not be in the semis.
And a team that relies on Bopara is no match for South Africa.
And why we fancy the Proteas
In Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, South Africa have two of the best batsmen in international cricket. (The future is quite promising too with Miller, Du Plessis and Ingram.) JP Duminy has yet to shine with the bat but there is no denying his ability.
Mclaren and Peterson have already shown what they can do notching up half centuries of their own, all contributing to the semifinal berth.
With Steyn back, their attack has the punch England is missing, especially now that the umpires have decided to change the ball as soon as it starts reversing!
Duminy's bowling has been a pleasant surprise for the Proteas and at the Oval pitch he will be more than useful.
Above all South Africa seem to have gotten past their arch enemies in ICC tournaments - Duckworth & Lewis.
And then they choke…
The South African captain said the only way his team can get rid of the label of 'chokers' was to win the tournament.
"I believe all teams choke in certain situations," he said. "It's just that somehow we managed to get that tag behind our names. Unless we win this tournament, people will continue to say we are chokers. But it is not something that bothers us."
Captains’ Speak
South African captain AB de Villiers said he expected another close contest between two "world-class" sides.
"England will be the favourites because they are playing at home and know the conditions well," de Villers said on Tuesday. "But I think it is pretty much 50-50.
"It's up to the team which rocks up with the right attitude that can take that momentum early on and run with it. We'll be looking to do exactly that and adapt to conditions as quickly as possible.
"England are a world class team and so are we. It's going to be a great game."
England skipper Alastair Cook said his team was excited about playing in a major semi-final.
"It's such an exciting place for a player to be," he said. "We have come here to try and win the tournament. We have got an amazing opportunity to try and do that and both sides will be excited about that.
"It's another day tomorrow. It's another game. What's gone on in the past has no relevance."
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