CSA CEO gives praise to the proteas

Their record shows that they have not been beaten in a test series in this period in Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), Europe (England), Australasia (Australia away, New Zealand at home) and Africa (West Indies, Kenya and Zimbabwe).

No team in world test cricket has been this successful playing under such varied conditions and environments in one season.

And to cap it all, the Proteas beat the world champions, Australia, on their home turf to become the first South African team to have achieved this feat.

It was fitting that Graeme Smith was named Man of the Series. He led from the front with great skill and the kind of guts that took him to the wicket in the final session with serious injuries to both his arms, to try to stave off defeat in the third test.

What has also been most pleasing is the manner in which they have won the hearts and minds of cricket followers wherever they have played this season.

Veteran cricket commentator Peter Roebuck said the Proteas' triumph went beyond sport and he is so right.

Cricket South Africa salutes Graeme, the players, the team management, sponsors Castle Lager and the public at large, for bringing so much glory to cricket and to our rainbow nation.

CSA has structures in place that prepared the Proteas to reach these high standards, and these structures remain to ensure that South African cricket continues to go from strength to strength.”