AB de Villiers was given out run-out in the 2015 World Cup semi-final after replays were inconclusive. South Africa lost to New Zealand in an agonising finish. Grant Elliott hit the winning six off Dale Steyn to send New Zealand to their first World Cup final.
The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland was one of the most dramatic matches in World Cup history. It came with enormous emotional weight — South Africa had never won a World Cup knockout match and carried the 'chokers' tag that had haunted them since their 1992 semi-final exit.
New Zealand, under Brendon McCullum and then Kane Williamson when McCullum fell early, were playing in front of their home crowd, riding a wave of national enthusiasm after an unbeaten tournament. The Black Caps had played exciting, attacking cricket throughout and had captured New Zealand's imagination.
AB de Villiers was South Africa's captain and their best batsman — perhaps the best batsman in the world at that time. His 162* against the West Indies in the same tournament had been one of the greatest ODI innings ever played. South Africa's hopes in the knockout rested heavily on him.
South Africa batted first and posted 281/5, a competitive total built around AB de Villiers' 65. They had the runs to defend, and with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel in their attack, they fancied their chances.
New Zealand's chase was tense throughout. They lost wickets regularly but Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott forged a crucial partnership that kept them in contention as the required rate climbed. By the final few overs, New Zealand needed specific targets that swung the match back and forth.
The run-out controversy involving de Villiers came during South Africa's fielding. In a tight run chase, with South Africa desperately trying to control the flow of runs, de Villiers was involved in a run-out attempt. The ball struck the stumps and went to the third umpire. The replays were tight — de Villiers' bat may have been grounded just before the bails fell, or just after. It was millimetres either way.
The run-out appeal involving AB de Villiers — South Africa's captain and most important fielder — created a significant moment during New Zealand's chase of 282 at Eden Park. In a tight fielding action with the match in the balance, the question went to third umpire S Ravi.
The replays were studied from multiple angles. The key question was whether de Villiers had completed his ground — whether his bat was touching the crease — at the precise moment the bails were dislodged by the ball disturbing the stumps. The third umpire viewed the footage repeatedly.
The decision came: out. De Villiers was run out. South Africa would have to continue defending without their captain's inspirational presence in the field — and more importantly, had he been batting, his dismissal would have been significant.
The game reached a climax when New Zealand needed 12 off the final over, bowled by Dale Steyn. Grant Elliott hit a six off the first ball, then ran twos and singles. Off the fifth ball, with one ball remaining, New Zealand needed a boundary to win. Elliott hit the sixth ball of Steyn's over for six over long-on. New Zealand had won by 4 wickets.
South Africa had lost another World Cup knockout match in heartbreaking fashion. The run-out decision, while not the only moment in the match, was part of the chain of controversial events that South African fans reviewed for months afterwards.
South Africa post 281/5, AB de Villiers contributing 65 in a competitive total
New Zealand's chase is tense — wickets fall but Taylor and Elliott keep them in the hunt
Run-out appeal involving de Villiers referred to third umpire — replays inconclusive
Third umpire gives de Villiers out — South Africa lose their captain/key fielder
Match goes to the wire — NZ need 12 off the final Steyn over
Grant Elliott hits two sixes in the final over — New Zealand win by 4 wickets on the last ball
SA innings
South Africa post 281/5 — de Villiers top-scores with 65
NZ early wickets
McCullum falls early; New Zealand lose wickets but stay in the chase
Run-out decision
De Villiers involved in run-out; third umpire gives out after inconclusive replays
Taylor-Elliott partnership
Grant Elliott and Ross Taylor bring New Zealand back into contention
Final over
NZ need 12 off last Steyn over — Elliott hits six off first ball
Winning moment
Elliott hits last ball of Steyn over for six — New Zealand win by 4 wickets; South Africa eliminated
“I thought I was in. When you look at replays it's very close. But that's the nature of these things.”
“We had to win the World Cup for South Africa. We couldn't do it. This pain never really goes away.”
“Grant Elliott, born in South Africa, hitting the winning six off Dale Steyn. Cricket doesn't write scripts like this.”
“The run-out was extremely tight. I looked at every frame and made the best decision I could with what I had.”
The aftermath of South Africa's exit was deeply emotional. Dale Steyn, who had conceded the winning six, was visibly devastated. De Villiers consoled his teammates, his composure in defeat a measure of his character. Several South African players cried openly on the field.
The 'chokers' narrative — the most painful label in cricket — was re-applied with full force. South Africa had again fallen in a knockout match, and the debate raged about mental fortitude versus bad luck versus umpiring decisions.
The run-out controversy was discussed but overshadowed by the remarkable manner of New Zealand's win. Grant Elliott's six off Steyn was the defining image, and Elliott himself — a South African-born player — was profoundly moved by the moment, raising his bat to the Steyn in a gesture of respect.
Third umpire decision was defensible given genuinely inconclusive footage — the correct protocol was followed. However, the marginal call added to South Africa's growing list of heartbreaking knockout exits and became part of the 'chokers' narrative that the team has tried to escape for three decades.
New Zealand went on to the World Cup final where they lost to Australia, but their semi-final victory over South Africa is remembered as one of the great World Cup moments. Eden Park that day was electric — a cathedral of cricket drama.
For South Africa, the 2015 semi-final exit added another chapter to one of sport's most poignant stories. The run-out controversy is a footnote in a larger narrative about the fickleness of fate. The match is studied in detail whenever the 'chokers' debate emerges, with every decision — including the third-umpire call — scrutinised for what might have been.
Australia vs New Zealand
1 February 1981
Greg Chappell instructed his brother Trevor to bowl the last ball underarm along the ground to prevent New Zealand from hitting a six to tie the match.
Australia vs India
7 February 1981
Sunil Gavaskar was given out LBW to Dennis Lillee off a ball that clearly hit his bat first. He was so furious he tried to take his batting partner Chetan Chauhan off the field with him.
Australia vs India
2-6 January 2008
One of the most controversial Tests ever — terrible umpiring decisions, racial abuse allegations, and India threatening to abandon the tour.