New Zealand’s last Cricket World Cup clash with South Africa four years ago was an ill-tempered affair.

Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum and Proteas counterpart AB de Villiers are promising there won’t be a repeat when the sides meet in their semi-final showdown in Auckland on Tuesday.

It was de Villiers’ run-out during South Africa’s 49-run quarter-final defeat in Dhaka in 2011 that led to a heated exchange between players.

It resulted in New Zealanders Kyle Mills, who had been carrying the drinks, and then-skipper Daniel Vettori, and South African Faf du Plessis being fined.

McCullum, who also played in the match, says things have moved on from then.

“We obviously had a bit of a stoush with them four years ago,” he said.

“I think both teams have grown up immensely in that time, and we’re different teams and play the game in a different spirit.”

McCullum expects two desperate sides to go at it hard at Eden Park, but whatever the result they would catch up after the match.

De Villiers said he held no grudges over what happened in the past.

He was confident the Proteas had the personnel to cope with whatever was thrown at them.

“New Zealand are normally a gentleman-like team to play against, but sometimes they do come out and go for what they want, and we’re expecting that,” he said.

“I don’t think there will be any surprises. It’s just up to us really to deal with whatever comes our way.”

As for sledging with the opposition, de Villiers said: “I personally don’t like to get involved vocally too much.

“It’s all about the confidence and the body language. I think I say enough with the way I go about my business as a player.”