Former Proteas coach and iafrica.com columnist Eric Simons reflects on South Africa's record-breaking first-Test victory over Australia in Perth.

I suppose one does not want to get too excited about a single Test victory, but I can't help feeling that there was something significant about the nature of this win.

Not only did we once again see the top order of South Africa play exceptionally well in very tough circumstances to win a test match, but maybe more significantly, we saw the cracks that have seemed to appear of late in the previously impregnable Australian team, become very obvious.

Like so many Test matches between well balanced teams, the balance of the match swayed from one team to the other and there are many talking points that could be discussed ? South Africa's inability to put Australia away after having them 15 for 3 in the first innings; for allowing the Australian tail to make such big contributions in both innings ? when again Australia were reeling ? and the way Australia exposed South Africa's vulnerable tail in the first innings.

But in the end this match will always be about South Africa chasing down 414 on the fifth day of a Test.

Top order did not disappoint

I always felt the top order of South Africa would play a significant role if we were going to win and they have not disappointed.

Only Neil McKenzie did not get a chance to play a significant innings, and while the rest all deserve special mention, for me the most notable performances were Graeme Smith, again proving his ability and mental strength, with an innings that laid a foundation on which this famous win could be achieved.

Hashim Amla continues to grow in my estimation as a cricketer and as a person by showing his ability to be focused and calm in tight situations, and while AB de Villiers was brilliant in finishing the game, I am particularly excited about the performance of JP Duminy.

I have always believed he is a rare talent and somehow ? fortunately it is not my job to work out how ? the management need to find a place for him in the line-up. The runs in the second innings were obviously important, but for me it was also about the way he scored them. The technical and tactical ability proved he is a man destined to be a great on this stage.

I still have concerns about our bowling attack as the series progresses, but a huge positive to come from the first Test was the performance of our spin bowler, Paul Harris. He played a far more significant role than most predicted. He seems to be bowling with far more conviction in his action and the result is evident in the result. He certainly proved more than just someone to give the quick men a break and his five wickets in the match ? including Symonds twice ? were all from the Australian top order, which says it all.

Shoe on the other foot?

We have heard the Australians speak so often about the mental scarring that the South African team has from painful defeats over the years and we have seen South Africa play as if those scars were real.

I now find myself wondering what affect this loss will have on Australian captain Ricky Ponting, and his team, for the remainder of the series. Australia must have been pleased after setting South Africa a target of 414 after their lower order made those important contributions. But the nature of the run chase and the seeming inability of the Australian bowling attack to dismiss the South African batsmen will have alarm bells ringing. The attack seemed almost toothless when it should have been at its most potent as the batting team set about chasing a large total.

This is just round one of a heavyweight bout, however, and we will not get too excited, but let's really enjoy the moment and particularly the nature of the defeat our team has been able to inflict on our old enemy.

  • Do you agree with Eric's take on the win? Let us know what you think below, or email Eric at sport@metropolis.co.za with any additional comments or questions.