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Cape Town - Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis has heaped praise on coach Russell Domingo following Wednesday's 31-run win over Australia in Cape Town.
That result gave South Africa a 5-0 series win over their old rivals, and Du Plessis has applauded the Proteas management and Domingo, in particular.
Domingo, who has been coach of the national side in all formats since 2013, had been under pressure in recent months following Test series defeats away in India and at home to England and then a failed ICC World Twenty20 campaign.
South Africa's semi-final exit from the 2015 Cricket World Cup also didn't help matters, and there had been a large section of the public calling for Domingo to be held accountable.
The latest disappointment saw the Proteas fail to qualify for the tournament final of a Tri-Series in the West Indies that also included Australia back in June.
Since then, after a period of severe introspection, the Proteas have bounced back with a 1-0 Test series win over New Zealand and now the Aussie whitewash.
According to Du Plessis, a lot changed within the squad and coaching team following that failure in the Caribbean.
"As a squad we made a huge transition when we went away and had a hard look at ourselves and the great thing is that the coaches were part of that," Du Plessis said.
"They were really eager to try and improve themselves as we as the players were. They were open and honest enough to accept criticism.
"Since that day, they've been brilliant.
"Russell has stepped his game up, he's challenging people now, he's challenging players to try and be better. I think that's healthy."
Du Plessis acknowledged that Domingo and the rest of the coaching staff had been under pressure following the Tri-Series and that he was pleased to have given them some relief with the success at home to the Aussies.
Du Plessis also praised the efforts of batting coach Neil McKenzie, who has been with the side since before the World Twenty20.
"Neil McKenzie has been a nice asset to us a batting unit because he's played the game at the highest level," said Du Plessis.
"He's a good soundboard to talk to because he's got great ideas and he focuses really well on technique. I've really enjoyed working with him.
"You can see now that the whole squad and the coaching staff is on one path and it's important that we don't take that for granted.
"I have to take my hat off to Russ ... he's been really good."
Things are not about to get any easier for Domingo or the Proteas, though.
A three-Test series in Australia awaits, with the first of those starting on November 3 at the WACA.
