Cape Town - Proteas coach Russell Domingo has hit out at those criticising his team.
The Proteas beat England by 280 runs in the final Test in Centurion on Tuesday, but the visitors still won the series 2-1.
Late last year, the Proteas also lost a Test series in India 3-0 and the former No 1-ranked team have now slipped to No 3 in the ICC Test rankings.
As always, these losses have come with their fair share of criticism, something Domingo has not taken well to.
“There were lots of noise made, but I know there will always be criticism. It’s as if people think I’m stupid,” Domingo was quoted as saying by Netwerk24.
“It’s not as if we’ve suddenly - after losing Tests and twice being bowled out for under 100 in an innings - woken up and started looking for a batting coach.
“I’ve been looking for a batting coach for longer than a year, even when we were winning. However, it’s not easy to find a suitable candidate.
“I’ve approached several candidates, but no one was available. We have approached someone again and who I believe is a suitable candidate, but we’ll have to see if he accepts.
“Some of the criticism we’ve received creates the impression that we’re a weak bunch of coaches and that the players are poor.
“I’m very happy at the way my players reacted to all the criticism in this Test.”
With the Test series against England a thing of the past, hostilities now shift to the five-game ODI series which starts in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, February 3.
The ODI series will be followed by two T20s.