Sydney, March 26 (IANS): Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith said on Wednesday that the Proteas will have to wait for another four years to lift their first cricket World Cup trophy following their defeat to New Zealand in the semifinal on Tuesday.

New Zealand beat South Africa by four wickets (Duckworth/Lewis) to enter the final of the mega event for the first time.

“Proteas left Eden Park knowing that they would have to wait another four years to lift their first World Cup trophy,” Smith wrote in a column for International Cricket Council (ICC).

The 34-year-old came in support of South Africa, saying they constructed their innings superbly given the loss of the early two wickets and taking rain into account.

“I felt South Africa constructed their innings superbly given the loss of the early two wickets and taking the rain into account. (Faf) du Plessis and (Rilee) Rossouw showed great composure in rebuilding the innings and providing the necessary platform for AB de Villiers and (David) Miller,” he said.

“The Proteas would have been content with getting to 281 in 43 overs and would have backed themselves to defend 298 in the same amount of overs.”

Speaking on the effect of the rain that had on the Proteas' innings, he said, “There has been much debate as to the effect that the rain had on the their innings. I believe that it definitely halted the momentum of the innings which played into the hands of the Black Caps by allowing them to regroup.

“They would have backed themselves to score at a minimum of 10 to the over for the final 12 overs if given the chance and would have believed a score in the region of 340 was well within their grasp.”