TWICKENHAM, London -- All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has no preference over who they face in the Rugby World Cup final as long as Australia and Argentina "bash each other to bits" on Sunday.

Hansen's New Zealand edged past South Africa 20-18 on Saturday in rainy conditions at Twickenham. They were five points down at the break but Beauden Barrett's second-half score alongside a comprehensive kicking display from Dan Carter booked them a place in their second World Cup final in succession.

The All Blacks will now watch the second semi-final on Sunday as they wait to see just who they will face next weekend.

When asked whether he would prefer Australia or Argentina in the final, Hansen responded: "I don't care. We are in it. Whoever we get will be very, very tough. We would be very foolish to think that whoever turns up next weekend won't have plenty to give to the game. I just want them to bash each other to bits tomorrow.

"We will enjoy tonight but we want to put a full stop in that and work towards a massive game next weekend."

Hansen also praised the leaders in the team for the manner they closed out the match in the final 10 minutes with the role of Richie McCaw paramount.

"We have got a captain [McCaw] who is probably the greatest player the game has ever seen and he is also a great skipper," Hansen said. "In 2007 as a young captain he was criticised a lot and I know that hurt him.

"But he has grown and we have got a leadership group on the field who have a massive amount of self-belief. When you get into situations like we did tonight, it's about the process. Your leadership on the field is based on having experienced that many times before. You have got guys on the park who can do that for you. Self-belief is a massive thing."

And McCaw hailed his team, adding: "Today I was proud of what the guys did. I said yesterday it was going to be a big step up to any game I have played against them and that's exactly what it was. To come out on the right side of a contest like that is pretty satisfying."