Cricinfo runs the rule over the 14 South African players they fielded during the series
Brydon Coverdale in Cape Town23-Mar-2009AB de Villiers took several strides towards his goal of becoming the world’s No. 1 batsman•Getty Images
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AB de Villiers
South Africa’s leading run scorer for the series with 357 at 89.25.Importantly he made contributions in all three matches, beginning withan against-the-tide 104 in Johannesburg and finishing with amagnificent 163 that helped set up the victory in Cape Town. Isreluctant to take over the wicketkeeping duties in future because hewants to focus on becoming the world’s No. 1 batsman and made somestrong steps forward during the series.8
Dale Steyn
Along with Mitchell Johnson, the equal top wicket-taker for the serieswith 16 at 29.62. But disappointingly Steyn’s best performance came inthe dead rubber and when the series was there to be won in the firsttwo Tests he lacked the zip and spark that had been so evident inAustralia. Still put together some terrific spells and his bouncerbarrage at Phillip Hughes in Johannesburg was one of the enduringmemories of the trip.Jacques Kallis
Had a strange series in that for most of it he appeared to be out oftouch yet still posted 289 runs at 57.80 and was behind only Hughesand de Villiers on the tally. Found his best form in Cape Town, wherehe scored his first Test century in 11 months, and captained SouthAfrica to an innings victory. Also became the first South African toreach 10,000 Test runs and proved that he is still a force at thehighest level.Ashwell Prince
Was cruelly overlooked for the first two Tests despite being thevice-captain and having scored a century in his previous Test innings.When he returned for the dead rubber at Newlands it was in theunfamiliar opening role but he put the disappointment behind him toscore a fluent 150 that set up the victory and left the selectorswondering what might have been had he played in Johannesburg andDurban.7.5
Paul Harris
His major contribution, a nine-wicket match haul, came in the deadrubber but it was enough to earn him Man-of-the-Match honours. Despitebeing on the wrong end of some heavy treatment in Johannesburg, he wasa constant threat throughout the series and underlined that he hasbecome an important member of the South African attack.6.5
Makhaya Ntini
Arguably the most consistent of South Africa’s bowlers in that he wasrarely dominated by the batsmen. However, he also failed to take anybig match-changing hauls. He is certainly coming towards the end of asuperb career but can still be a threat in short, sharp spells, if notthe strike weapon that he once was having now lost a yard of speed.5.5
Hashim Amla
At his best a joy to watch but is developing a frustrating habit offailing to go on with his positive starts. His list of scores for thisseries read 1, 57, 0, 43, 46 and on the tour of Australia he wassimilarly unable to move past the 50 region. Is being viewed as SouthAfrica’s long-term No. 3 but must soon take the next step and begin topost some big centuries.JP Duminy
Fell back down to earth after his phenomenal tour of Australia. RickyPonting’s men felt he was susceptible to quick bouncers and it proveda good ploy. Duminy lost confidence when pelted with short stuff andtwice was caught gloving bouncers behind. His best performance was anunbeaten 73 in Durban, which was a terrific effort as only one of histeam-mates reached double figures in that innings.Morne Morkel was too inconsistent and leaked too many runs•Getty Images
Albie Morkel
Came in only for the third Test and his major impact was with the bat,when he struck an entertaining 58. Also picked up the important wicketof Ponting in the first innings but has some work to do to provehimself as a Test bowler.5
Graeme Smith
Apart from a solid 69 in the second innings in Johannesburg it was aseries to forget for Smith. It began with a duck at the Wanderers andfinished for him with a broken hand in Durban courtesy of a risingdelivery from Mitchell Johnson. It was quite a turnaround from hisstrong tour of Australia and it’s a series he will be keen to putbehind him as soon as possible.Mark Boucher
Was as reliable as ever behind the stumps but with the bat he had noimpact whatsoever. A series tally of 62 runs was not enough from theman who South Africa rely on to shepherd their lower order.4
Neil McKenzie
Had his Test career almost certainly terminated for good when he wasaxed after the Durban loss. Wasn’t in terrific form but in three ofhis four innings had made solid starts and reached the 30s. Will find it very difficult to fight back into the team.3
Morne Morkel
Was wayward with the ball and thoughtless with the bat. Picked up sixwickets in the first two Tests but was terribly inconsistent andleaked a few too many runs, which lost him his place for the deadrubber in Cape Town. Threw his wicket away with reckless pulls in bothinnings in Johannesburg, which was exactly the opposite of the kind ofbatting required given the match situations.Imraan Khan
Came in as McKenzie’s replacement and played a couple of good shotsbefore he was out for 20 in his only Test innings. Hard to judgewhether he can become a regular Test player in the future but willalmost certainly be the man to miss out when Smith returns.