Jacques Kallis said that his team's performance on the first day was the key to securing victory on the fourth day.

It ended an epic six successive Test matches between the two sides - the first three held Down Under with South Africa prevailing 2-1.

Today's result means the world's best two Test teams split those six matches 3-3 and stand-in Proteas skipper Kallis feels both teams deserve credit for a memorable four months of cricket.

"It's probably a fair reflection on how cricket has gone," he said afterwards.

Oz played good cricket said Kallis

"The Australians played some really good cricket, and put us under pressure from the start.

"There are a lot of reasons for that, but I'm sure the guys would have learned a lot from the series, and what happened today, and how we've got to go about our business.

"Our guys pitched up here on day one, and we played the kind of cricket we know we can play. But it is frustrating that we didn't turn up like that on day one of the series."

Harris starred for the hosts

Paul Harris, who was named man-of-the-match, starred for the home side today claiming six for 127 - the first time since Harry Bromfield against England in 1965 that a South African spinner had taken five wickets in an innings during a Test on home soil.

Kallis continued: "It was a fantastic stuff from Harris. The guys bowled very well on the first morning, having lost the toss, to bowl them out for that score, on that wicket, was a really good effort.

"And then to bowl them out again the way we did, with Harro contributing like that - it was fantastic to see what our bowlers can do."

Harris said: "The last three months, I've felt I've bowled the best I've bowled in my career so far. The faith that Graeme (Smith) and Mickey (Arthur) have shown in me has been great. I'm living a dream, and I hope it carries on for a very long time."

Punter felt overall result was fair reflection

Like Kallis, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting felt that the overall result was a fair reflection.

"It has been a fantastic series of cricket as the series in Australia was," he said. "We came back and rectified what happened then, at least in the first two Tests."

However, the Tasmanian lamented their loss today, saying: "Obviously, any time you lose it really hurts, but this has been really poor.

"The first two Tests were as good as we have played, while the first two days here were as bad as we have ever played. It shows if you're not quite there in terms of your best then results are not going to go your way.

"Full credit to South Africa for playing as well as they did."

Mitchell Johnson was one of the shining lights for Australia today slamming a maiden Test century - he hit 123 not out in just 103 balls - and was later named man-of-the-series for his 255 runs with the bat and 16 wickets.

He added: "I have enjoyed it, but lots of credit has to go team. Our bowling attack stuck together and I fed off it.

"It's a bit disappointing to lose here today. I enjoy my batting and hope there are more hundreds in the future. I just feel like I'm learning and growing each game."