Revealed: 6 things we know from South Africa's crushing defeat of Australia

South Africa's Dale Steyn is still capable of amazing pace and unbelievably fast reverse swing Australian bowlers still have to figure out the knack of getting reverse swing… and pace

South Africa’s mental toughness suggests good things to come. Captain Graeme Smith said the turnaround after a 281-run defeat in the first Test at Centurion was a tribute to the resilience of his players.

Be careful of having a band too close to the slip cordon.
With the St George's Park band in full swing, the slip cordon didn't hear what replays showed to be a faint edge and South Africa did not seek a review when Rogers was given not out.

Shaun Marsh is not the test batsmen he or Australia want him to be… not yet.
South Africa took four top order wickets for four runs after tea to swing the game in their favour, with Alex Doolan, Shaun Marsh, Clarke and Steve Smith falling for 5, 0, 1 and 0 respectively.
Marsh was out first ball to Vernon Philander to complete a "pair".

Captainship is crucial going for a win. M S Dhoni are you listening? With Australia seven down, South Africa claimed the extra half hour available if a result was likely and took the last three wickets with a possible 14 balls remaining.
South Africa were without injured left-arm fast-medium bowler Wayne Parnell but Smith juggled his bowlers well and made good use of his part-time spinners.

Hashim Amla is way too understated in his on-field manner in terms of his stats. He completed his 21st Test century - and his fifth against Australia - and finished on 127 not out when Smith declared at 270 for five. His tally of five hundreds against Australia equalled a South African record shared by Eddie Barlow, Graeme Pollock, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers.
 

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