South Africa's 3-0 whitewash over Pakistan, by an innings and 18 runs in Centurion on Sunday, gave Graeme Smith his 50th victory as captain.

"I'm very, very proud to be the first captain in world cricket to achieve 50 Test wins under my leadership and I'm also very proud to have done it as a South African," Smith said after the match which ended two days early.

"It's been a very special summer at home. We've reached some incredible milestones and I'm grateful to be a part of a special group of cricketers who can go on to achieve a lot more."

Going into the last game with the series already wrapped up, Smith said it would have been easy to be complacent, even subconsciously, but the goal was to step up their game and to win the match convincingly.

"We were a bit uncertain on day one about what the right thing to do was, but we took it on and batted first which was a challenge," he said.

"To see our batters front up and our bowlers put in the yards, shows good signs as a team. It shows we're hungry and have a really good determination.

"There is real pride in our performance which is always important."

With the injuries to Jacques Kallis and Morne Morkel, Smith said it was good to see young guys slot in so easily and produce the goods.

“It shows there is a good environment for a young guy to join the team and there is a good platform for him to be successful.

“It's great to see fresh guys come in from the domestic circuit and perform well like Kyle Abbott. I was impressed by his solid pace and he hit the bat hard. He got the ball in the right areas consistently and asked a lot of questions and that's what Test cricket is about.”

Smith said the current Protea side was the best team he'd played in as a South African cricketer.

“We have all our bases covered. It's doesn't mean there won't be big challenges ahead for us but it's a wonderful team and the best team I've been a part of.”

Summing up the Test series, Smith said three things stood out for him.

“First and foremost, opening the batting is not easy in South Africa,” he joked.

“The positive brand of cricket we've played; being on the front foot and being dominant in the way we've played has been exciting.

“It hasn't been a brash style of cricket – it's been focused and clinical and we've got a lot of exciting, skilful cricketers which is great.

“We pushed on and won all our Test matches in a positive style this year and that has been the highlight for me. We gave our fans something to cheer and shout about and that's been great.”

The Proteas do not play another Test until they meet Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in October.

Smith said it was disappointing but they had to face the reality. Their preparation would be key and he hoped the team would hit its straps at the right time.

“It's always challenging playing there and we expect it to spin and the conditions will suit Pakistan.”

Smith, meanwhile, would keep himself occupied as he had signed a three-year contract with Surrey.

He would skipper the English County Championship first division side throughout the English summer.

“It was the right decision for me at this time of my life. I'm looking forward to a different challenge after playing IPL for five years," he said.

“The opportunity to go to London and lead a county like Surrey is something I'm looking forward to and it's a great chance to grow my leadership skills.”

He did not look too far ahead, he said, and as long as he felt he could add value, as a leader, to the team environment and could still perform well, he would extend his career for as long as possible.

On his future goals, he said: “Just winning – it's as simple as that. My focus as the leader of this side is to create a team that plays the game hard, plays it in the right spirit and is a team that can challenge all around the world.”