Wales coach Warren Gatland said he believed South Africa could beat England in the final, although he added that they might need to be more expansive.
The feisty approach was followed by a storming start by England, who led after less than two minutes through Manu Tuilagi's try – and ultimately stunned the defending champions 19-7.
The treble-chasing All Blacks were put to the sword by a clinical England, who beat the champions for the first time in seven years and snapped New Zealand's record 18-match unbeaten streak in the competition dating back to 2007.
For the Springboks it is far bigger than that as they turn their eyes from Japan to South Africa and knowing what a place in a third Rugby World Cup final would mean to their country.
A try by centre Manu Tuilagi put England ahead with less than two minutes on the clock and the All Blacks never got back into the game.
Guardiola's side closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to three points thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan at the Etihad Stadium.
The star batsmen were both banned for a year for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal but have rejoined their country's Test, one-day and now T20 sides.
All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster said scrums and line-outs would be the key battleground as the defending champions take on a physical English pack in Saturday's World Cup semifinal.
Wenger, in Tokyo in an advisory role on plans for a new stadium in the capital, is looking to return to the dugout early next year, though insists he is undecided about his next destination.
Liverpool were taken to court by New Balance after it was alleged that the Premier League club was looking to switch to a new deal with rivals Nike once their existing contract, reported to be worth 40 million pounds per year, ended in May 2020.
