Australia captain Steven Smith “embarrassed” by collapse against South Africa

He is averaging 84 in the current series batting at No.7 following scores of 84 and 64 in the crushing first Test victory in Perth.

De Kock earlier raised his second test century in a decisive 144-run stand with Temba Bavuma before being bowled by Josh Hazlewood just before lunch. It is extremely special for us.

“We’re all great mates and obviously it’s an important time to stick together”. “So to come here and do what we’ve done is right up there‚ certainly in my career”.

3 – South Africa became the third team to win three back-to-back series in Australia after England (in 1884/85, 1887 and 1888) and West Indies (1984/85, 1988/89 and 1992/93). Also Hashim Amla, the leader of the batting line-up, contributed only 48 runs across three innings.

As far as du Plessis is concerned there will be no easing up on the demoralised Australians.

He said different strategies were needed for different teams. “There haven’t been many things we’ve done wrong. So it’s something we’ll focus on before Adelaide”. Only two players – captain Michael Clarke, and fast bowler Mitchell Johnson – reached double figures, and Australia’s highest single scorer results in 14 extras. In absence of Smith; Warner led the team in ODI and T20I series.

Australia batted through 36 overs, during which Faf du Plessis unsuccessfully reviewed two lbw shouts from Philander.

Abbott, who was called into the Hobart Test as a replacement for senior strike bowler Dale Steyn, who suffered a shoulder injury in the first Perth Test, revelled on the receptive Bellerive pitch. Before this South Africa had won in 2008-09 and 2012-13. “It’s hard to fake it. We’ve done it a few times now but it’s not done yet”.

“To get eight wickets for 40 runs‚ plus minus‚ is one of those sessions we will always remember as a team”. If you can put a lot of pressure on them, the younger guys won’t have that same punch. Yesterday we were exceptional, we made sure we were relentless. We’re better than that. Those defeats were downgraded slightly by fans and analysts because they were away and the squads weren’t at full strength.

Once Usman Khawaja was out just 20 minutes into the fourth day, the wickets continued to tumble.

Although well-placed, the visitors remain wary of Australia. “We pride ourselves on playing for our country and we haven’t done that well enough over the last three and a half days”.

“We need to find a way to have a bit more fight and hunger, and a bit more pride”, he added.

“That won us the series and it was unbelievable”.

“The South Africans have had the same schedule in terms of preparation as we’ve had”.

The capitulation revisited the nightmares of their miserable 47 in Cape Town in 2011 and England’s demolition of them for 60 at Trent Bridge a year ago.

Having piled on 117 runs for the loss of one batsman in the morning, the Proteas lost their final four wickets for 50.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann promised changes for the third Test against South Africa, with most of his players to be sent back to domestic cricket.

What memories that will make.