Shukri Conrad 'glad' Proteas go into T20 World Cup semifinal as favourites

The South Africans will march into the last four contest as the only unbeaten team still left in the global tournament, while they have also already beaten the Kiwis in the group stage.

The Proteas' history in semifinals in ICC tournaments has not always been kind, but Conrad is not fussed as he navigates his first white-ball competition as head coach.

"I'm glad that we're favourites, because I've always felt that as a South African team, you want to be able to play as a favourite," Conrad told reporters.

"It's easy being an underdog, you know. The expectation isn't that great or that much. Now we've assumed the tag, which we don't really talk much about.

"If we can continue doing what we're doing, and need a little bit of luck along the way as well, hopefully that will give us the result on Wednesday.

"There's always pressure. It's what you do with that pressure and how you shift the pressure.

"It's really about embracing that pressure. And we don't do things any differently. We're going to prepare exactly the same way for New Zealand and whether we start that game as favourites, probably because we're the only unbeaten side in the competition.

"I don't know if that adds to the pressure. A semi-final is pressure enough. Playing a top side, New Zealand, is pressure enough. So there's no added pressure."

Conrad had a special word of praise for his team's bowling attack that has been instrumental in going seven matches unbeaten at this year's T20 World Cup.

Lungi Ngidi has been the leading seamer on show while the likes of Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch have been steady to date.

Kagiso Rabada started the tournament slowly, almost costing the Proteas against Afghanistan in the group stage, but has bounced back and seems in good form heading into the semifinal battle.

While there has been criticism for not picking a wrist-spinner in the squad, Keshav Maharaj has had a good impact, even coming through a super over against Afghanistan.

Conrad added: "Our bowling attack was fashioned in such a way that we've got wicket-taking options.

"That's something that we've driven, especially with guys like KG (Rabada) and Marco, their impact in the match will be through taking wickets.

"And then we might not have left the shores of South Africa with a mystery spinner, but we've got a mystery seamer in Lungi Ngidi, who fills that role for us in the middle overs.

"And (Corbin) Boshy has done exceptionally well bowling it to death, nailing his yorkers. We've stayed nice and aggressive.

"They're all Test match bowlers, so bowling a Test match length isn't difficult for them. That's still a really tough length to hit consistently.

"You might hit it once or twice, but you've got to be really on top of your game to hit that continually."

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