We were very motivated for the contest: De Villiers

On a high after winning their cricket World Cup quarter-final match against Sri Lanka, South Africa skipper AB de Villiers said his team was "very motivated" as they looked to break loose from the tag of "chokers".

"I didn't have to say much. We were very motivated for this game. The guys were in a really good space and they rocked up mentally," de Villiers said at the post-match presentation ceremony at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here on Wednesday.

Proteas leg-spinner Imran Tahir was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/26 in 8.2 overs. JP Duminy (3/29) ably supported Tahir, bowling his loopy off-spinners to pick up a hat-trick as they bowled out Sri Lanka for a paltry 133 in 37.2 overs.

In reply, the Proteas eased past the target with nine wickets and 32 overs to spare.

"They (spinners) came in at a crucial stage. We kept them back until the 14-15th over, so for the two of them to come on against a subcontinental team at a crucial stage was really impressive," said de Villiers.

The 31-year-old now hopes that he will be holding the elusive World Cup trophy aloft on March 29 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

"I like to believe in big things. I truly believe we're going to go all the way. For now we're just going to enjoy a beer and think about what's to come," concluded de Villiers.