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Cape Town - Australia had never been whitewashed in a five-match ODI series before this.
There is much being said about their depleted bowling attack, but in the end international cricket is no place to make excuses.
The Proteas, as Aussie captain Steve Smith acknowledged on Wednesday, were better than their opposition in all departments throughout the series.
How much of this momentum will be carried into next month's Test series 'Down Under' remains to be seen, but at the very least the future of this limited overs side looks bright.
Most of the Proteas players emerged with enhanced reputations, but there were one or two who struggled.
Here, we rate the players out of 10.
Quinton de Kock - 8
Runs - 300
Average - 60
De Kock looked other-worldly in the series opener at Centurion when he smashed 178 from just 113 balls. After that start, he may have hoped to accumulate more than 300 runs by the end of the series. His glove-work was generally good, and he has solidified his position at the top of this batting order.
Hashim Amla - 5
Runs - 74
Average - 24.66
Missed the first two matches and then took his place at the top of the order where Rilee Rossouw had been impressive. Looked as good as ever at the crease, but struggled to turn two starts into big runs. Unlike him.
Faf du Plessis - 8
Runs - 250
Average - 50
Solid at No 3 but really impressed with his captaincy. This looks a rejuvenated team under his leadership. Has a clear plan of how he wants the squad to develop, a commanding presence on and off the field and his form improves whenever he is in charge.
Rilee Rossouw - 8
Runs - 311
Average - 77.75
Rossouw displayed shot-making of the highest order throughout the series, finishing as South Africa's leading run scorer. When he is in this form he looks as good as anybody. Will be hard to leave him out of the first Test at the WACA.
JP Duminy - 7
Runs - 209
Average - 41.8
Wickets - 1
Average - 70
Duminy's return to form has been a major boost to this side. He chipped in with a much-needed 73 in the final ODI, though he would have been kicking himself for not converting. He only went at 5.83 runs per over with the ball ... handy for Du Plessis.
David Miller - 8
Runs - 193
Average - 96.5
That match-winning knock of 118* in Durban was something special. When he looks back on his career, that could be the day when it all started for him at international level. A crucial player in this ODI side.
Farhaan Behardien - 5
Runs - 30
Average - 30
Tough to rate, with limited opportunity. Did play in three of the matches, but when everyone is at their best it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to justify a spot.
Andile Phehlukwayo - 8
Runs - 66
Average - 66
Wickets - 8
Average - 30
Superb from the 20-year-old. Started with a bang with a four-wicket haul in Centurion and then displayed immense composure with the bat in Durban to see his side home. Finished as SA's leading wicket-taker in the series.
Dwaine Pretorius - 5
Runs - 15
Average - 15
Wickets - 1
Average - 75
Harsh, but Pretorius will be disappointed with his showing. Only played in two matches, but couldn't win the game with Miller in Durban. Limited opportunities, but you have to take them when you're knocking on the door.
Dale Steyn - 4
Wickets - 5
Average - 50.8
Played in four matches and came nowhere near troubling the Aussie batsmen. Nobody would have been more disappointed than him, but the good news is that he has come through the series injury-free.
Kagiso Rabada - 4
Wickets - 5
Average - 52.8
Scary how close his statistics were to Steyn's. Far too loose, and short, at times and was expensive as a result. Still possesses the pace, but this was not one of his better outings.
Imran Tahir - 8
Wickets - 6
Average - 28.83
Tahir remains South Africa's best bowler in this format. He was at his destructive best once more and single-handedly changed the 5th ODI in Cape Town. He is now 37-years-old, but as long as he keeps performing like this he could go on for a while yet.
Kyle Abbott - 8
Wickets - 6
Average - 14.66
Only played in the last two matches, but he took his chance in a big way. Does the basics well by just focusing on areas. Has worked himself into contention for the first Test.
Tabraiz Shamsi - 7
Wickets - 3
Average - 12
Just the one match for the spinner, but he took full advantage. Could be a big player for the Proteas in the Tests series.
Aaron Phangiso - 7
Wickets - 2
Average - 8.5
Just one game for Phangiso too. It's a shame he doesn't get to play more. He was as reliable and accurate as ever in the fourth ODI.
Wayne Parnell - 6
Wickets - 4
Average - 24
Ruled out of the series just two games in with injury just as he was beginning to gain momentum from an extended run in the national set-up.
