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Cape Town - Former skipper Graeme Smith says that the Proteas' embarrassing loss at Lord's against England was a Test match to forget for all South Africans.
Smith led the side to a 2-1 four-Test series win in 2008 and then a 2-0 three-Test series victory in 2012.
This time, the retired opener was watching from the commentary box as the Proteas were thrashed by England in the first Test on Sunday.
The Proteas were set a target of 331 to chase with more than four sessions remaining - all the Proteas needed was a partnership and someone to step up.
However, the visitors collapsed to 119 all out on the fourth day and lost by an embarrassing 211-run loss at the Home of Cricket.
Smith said the Proteas batting attack looked vulnerable and were in no position to win after the dismissals of openers Heino Kuhn and stand-in skipper Dean Elgar.
"A Test match to forget and move on from for the South Africans, beaten at Lord's for the first time in over 60 years," Smith wrote in his Independent column.
"Their promising start in this game soon dissipated in the wake of some severely below par fielding and batting throughout the game.
"The core of South Africa's batting line up appeared soft and vulnerable without (Faf) Du Plessis, as the captain was left to watch the capitulation from the boundary following his own practice ahead of Trent Bridge.
"The most disappointing aspect of South Africa's defeat is that it never really looked in any doubt once the openers had departed," added Smith.
"South Africa will have to rediscover their fight if they are to arrest the slide in Nottingham."
The Proteas are 1-0 down in the four-match Test series with the second Test on Friday at Trent Bridge (12:00 SA time).
