New Zealand stormed into the Twenty20 World Cup final with a nine-wicket demolition of South Africa in the first semifinal at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

Put into bat, South Africa recovered from a precarious 77-5 to post a competitive 169-8 after Marco Jansen led their recovery with a belligerent 55 not out.

Finn Allen smashed an unbeaten 100 off 33 balls, however, and shared a 117-run opening stand with Tim Seifert (58) as New Zealand romped to their target in only 12.5 overs.

Defending champions India take on twice champions England in the second semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday.