South Africa finished first and second in the ICC's ODI and Test rankings respectively in the 2008-2009 season.

Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola has congratulated the national cricket team for their high ranking.

The Proteas on Sunday won third Test against Australia by an innings and 20 runs at Sahara Park, Newlands, although the visitors clinched the series 2-1.

"This is a remarkable achievement, coming on top of the Proteas' best season ever in 2008 when they won in all conditions at home and abroad," said Majola.

"The six-match home and away series between South Africa and Australia has proved that Test cricket is here to stay, with brilliant performances coming from both teams playing in the true spirit of Test cricket led by captains Graeme Smith and Ricky Ponting," he added.

"CSA is most grateful to the public"

Majola said that the series has seen the birth of some new heroes in both the teams and hoped that in the upcoming ODI series the trend will continue.

"Both Test teams are in a transitional period, and this has produced the emergence of new world Test stars such as Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Phil Hughes. 

"The stage is now set for an exhilarating start to the new limited overs international season between South Africa and Australia in the upcoming Pro 20 Internationals and the ODIs when even more new heroes will most certainly emerge to thrill the fans," he said.

"Recent independent surveys have shown that South African cricket has never been so popular, and all indications are that this trend will grow even further.

"CSA is most grateful to the public and its loyal sponsors for this wonderful support," he added.