Kolkata, March 4 New Zealand reached 124 for 1 against South Africa at the halfway stage of the semi-final, needing 46 runs to reach the final of the T20 World Cup here on Wednesday.
Openers Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra were at the crease on 58 and 6 respectively after 10 overs, while chasing a target of 170.
The other opener, Tim Seifert, scored 58 before being dismissed by Kagiso Rabada.
New Zealand were 84 without loss at the end of the powerplay.
Earlier, Marco Jansen hit a stunning 55 not out in a late-order effort to help South Africa reach 169 for 8 after being asked to bat.
Jansen hit two fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 30-ball innings to revive South Africa's innings after they had been reduced to 77 for 5 in the 11th over.
Dewald Brevis contributed 34, while Tristan Stubbs scored 29.
Rachin Ravindra, Cole McConchie, and Matt Henry each took two wickets for New Zealand.
