The Australian cricketers surrendered tamely in Adelaide last night to hand South Africa a crushing eight-wicket victory and a one-day series win with a game to spare.
Set only 223 to win, the Proteas made a flying start thanks to a dashing 38 from openers Herschelle Gibbs, and the job was finished off by Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers who made unbeaten 80s, achieving their target with nearly 12 overs to spare.
The South Africans fulfilled the prediction of their coach Mickey Arthur that success in Adelaide would turn a good tour into a great one.
The last team to win both a test and one day series in Australia was Richie Richardson's West Indians in 1992-93.
The Australian captain Ricky Ponting said that it had been clearly his side's worst effort of the summer.
The final match is in Perth on Friday, and the opening game of the Australia-New Zealand Chappell-Hadlee series is also in Perth on Sunday.
