A ball is yet to be bowled, but plans are already in place at two Tauranga high schools to ensure precious coverage of today's Cricket World Cup semi-final between the New Zealand and South Africa isn't missed.

At 2pm this afternoon, the nation's gaze will fall on Auckland's Eden Park, where the Black Caps will do battle for a place in Sunday's showcase final.

Tauranga Boys' College Year 13 students Jacob Reyland, 17, and Liam Bass, 17, will be watching the cricket today. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Today's clash is shaping up to be a cracker, with both sides set to match highly-vaunted pace attacks and imposing batting line-ups – highlighted by the Bay of Plenty's very own Trent Boult and Kane Williamson.

Among those with their eyes glued to TV screens is Williamson's old college Tauranga Boys, who are turning their gymnasium into a cricketing hub for the afternoon.

'We will pull out seating in the main gym, especially for those PE classes in the last period,” says Tauranga Boys' College master in charge of cricket Regan Cross. 'We will be setting up the big screen and absolutely getting the boys into it.”

Regan says the school is very proud of 24-year-old Williamson, who attended the school from 2004-2008. During that time he continued his prodigious run-scoring feats set at primary and intermediate level and was an integral part of the First Eleven.

'All of the staff have had a fair bit to do with Kane coming through the ranks,” says Regan.

'So anyone who has had anything to do with Kane is following his every step and is proud as punch for what he has done so far and the massive effect he has had on the national team's success.”

The Black Caps are riding a wave of success, having won seven of their matches so far in the tournament, including Saturday's extraordinary win over the West Indies.

And one person who could swing the game the home side's way is Otumoetai College old boy Trent Boult, who has been ripping the heart out of batting attacks throughout the tournament.

Otumoetai College acting principal Bruce Farthing says the school is shortening its lunch break and closing early at 3pm to ensure staff and students can get home as soon as possible.

He says just this morning, Boult's former college cricket coach Nick Page texted the 25-year-old wishing him luck.

'He sent back a wonderful message saying he is excited and looking forward to the game and how he hopes they will do well by New Zealand,” says Bruce.

'The school is very much in tune with this today and is very proud of Trent Boult. There is no doubt about that.”

Not since 1992, when New Zealand fielded the likes of captain Martin Crowe, a fresh-faced Chris Harris and Gavin Larsen, has the nation backed their cricketing side to this extent after countless years of frustration, despair and apprehension.

At that time, 46,000 souls descended upon Eden Park full of expectation that New Zealand would defeat Pakistan and book their place in the final, only to see their country come up short.

Today they have the chance to take a step further on the same ground.

The winner of this afternoon's encounter will face either Australia or India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

*Many thanks to Stirling Sports, 89 Grey Street, Tauranga. www.stirlingsports.co.nz