Australia missed the opportunity for a consolation victory over a second-string South African team as they lost the fifth and final one-day international by 39 runs at the Waca in Perth on Friday.
After half-centuries from Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy had powered South Africa to 288 for six, debutants Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell helped stare down the formidable Australian batting line-up, with the home side being bowled out for 249.
Left-arm seamer Tsotsobe picked up the wickets of Shaun Marsh (5) and Ricky Ponting (12) in his opening spell, before returning to dismiss top-scorer Michael Hussey (78) and Mitchell Johnson (5) to take four for 50 in a highly-impressive debut.
The similarly tall Morne Morkel also enjoyed the bouncy Waca pitch and bowled a few rippers to finish with two for 45, while spinner Johan Botha continued his marvellously consistent, economic form with one for 38 and Parnell impressed with one for 52.
Most impressively, Tsotsobe and Parnell both bowled during the batting powerplay at the death, and were not overawed.
Tsotsobe, in particular, showed his mettle as he recovered from being hit for 12 runs off the first three balls of the 39th over, by bowling Hussey with a sublime slower ball.
It left Australia needing exactly 100 runs in the last 10 overs and not even Brad Haddin’s nuggety 63 off 50 balls could get them home.
Duminy was the most free-scoring of the South African batsmen as he lashed 60 not out off just 42 balls, while Hashim Amla looked like a batsman who had been playing one-day internationals for many more years than he has by cruising to 97 off 117 deliveries.
Amla and De Villiers provided a great service with their sensible but fluent third-wicket stand of 118 in 23 overs, giving Duminy a great platform.
The little left-hander took full advantage as he hammered three fours and three sixes to ensure South Africa capitalised on their batting powerplay.
De Villiers has lost all the impetuousness of his younger days and the fact he had just four fours in his 60 off 71 deliveries says wonders for his composure and skill.
He eventually fell to the best of the Australian bowlers, James Hopes, who finished with three for 44.