CENTURION, South Africa - South Africa completed a series clean sweep when they beat Pakistan by an innings and 18 runs on the third day of the third Test at SuperSport Park yesterday.
Pakistan were bowled out for 235 in their second innings, an improvement on their first innings total of 156.
But the margin of victory and the series result were a fair reflection of the dominance of the world champions, playing in their home conditions.
Dale Steyn took four for 80 and was responsible for the run-out of Azhar Ali which sparked a collapse of the Pakistan middle order.
For the only time in the series, the Pakistan lower order showed some resistance and Steyn was frustrated in a final spell of eight overs after tea as the last pair, Rahat Ali and Mohammad Irfan, played and missed or edged the ball out of reach of the fielders.
At the other end Kyle Abbott was unable to complete a ten-wicket haul on his Test debut, finishing with two for 39 after taking seven for 29 in the first innings.
Finally, captain Graeme Smith turned to left-arm spinner Robin Peterson who trapped Rahat leg before wicket with his sixth ball.
South Africa won the first Test in Johannesburg by 211 runs and the second in Cape Town by four wickets. No match went to a fifth day.
"I said before that depth was going to be a key factor in us staying No.1 and that showed here," said Smith, who became the first captain to win 50 Tests.
"When we go to the UAE to play Pakistan, it will be our first challenge of the new season and we hope to do well there."
Misbah admitted that the defeat in Cape Town had been key in the series.
"If we had 50-70 runs more in Cape Town, that was the chance we had to win a match. But there is a chance for us in the one-dayers. Batting-wise we are disappointed," said the skipper.