Mitchell Santner is confident New Zealand can get past South Africa in the T20 World Cup semi-final, claiming they "back ourselves in one-off games against most teams".

New Zealand faced a nervy wait to find out if they had a place in the last four after losing their final Super 8s match against England, but Pakistan, who could have taken their spot, missed out on net-run rate despite beating Sri Lanka on February 28.

The Black Caps have already faced South Africa at the tournament this year, suffering a seven-wicket defeat in their third group game.

South Africa have won each of their five meetings with New Zealand at the T20 World Cup, but the Proteas have lost four of their last six matches against them in the format away from home (including neutral venues).

Despite going into the semi-final on the back of a loss, Santner has no doubts New Zealand have what it takes to push the currently unbeaten South Africa all the way.

"South Africa have a lot of power," Santner said. "I think the powerplay for us with the ball was where they really got away to a flyer.

"We haven't probably played the perfect game throughout this tournament. And I guess that's a good thing for us. If we can put it all together, it'll put us in a pretty good position.

"I think for us, it's... everyone's goal throughout the tournament is to get to this stage. We're here now, and we back ourselves on one-off games against most teams... being able to adapt as quick as we can to what's in front of us.

"South Africa look like a very good outfit, as they've shown. And I guess they're in the same boat as us now. It's one game in here until the final."

Semi-final locked in

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South Africa, meanwhile, are not taking anything for granted ahead of the tie, according to Aiden Markram.

The Proteas are the only team left in the tournament that are currently unbeaten, as they continue their bid to win a first-ever T20 World Cup title.

"I wish cricket was that easy," Markram said.

"New Zealand is ‌a quality team, they've proved that over many years now.

"We had ​a good runout against them in the group stage. But both teams have played a lot of ​cricket since then, and it's completely a fresh start. I don't think it's as straightforward as just being able ⁠to repeat that ​again."