The victories at the WACA in Perth and the MCG in Melbourne condemned the Australians to their first Test series defeat at home in 16 years.
In the first Test, South Africa achieved the second biggest run chase in cricketing history, scoring 414 in their fourth innings, to beat the Australian side by 6 wickets. In Melbourne, the Proteas won the Boxing Day test by 9 wickets. In both tests, the South Africans fought back from seemingly hopeless positions to record famous victories.
Over the last three years the South African side has grown from strength to strength, and are now poised to take over the top spot as the best Test side in the ICC world rankings, if they can beat Australia in Sydney.
“There is obviously a huge amount of happiness to be arriving here in Sydney 2-0 up. Throughout the series we have concentrated on what we can do rather than what the opposition has thrown at us but, if we have caused a bit of uncertainty in their camp, then I think we will take that as a bit of a feather in our cap,” said captain Graeme Smith.
South Africa have now become the first team to win a test series both at home and away against all nine ICC Test cricket opponents.
Pace bowler Dale Steyn took his 150th wicket in his 29th test; becoming the joint fourth fastest bowler to achieve this cricketing milestone.
“If we can start our careers like this and take it forward, we can start a new generation of cricket and South African cricketers. I am very proud to be part of a side that has achieved something special,” said Steyn.
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