The final Test in Sydney was a splendid end to a well-fought series, with the South Africans victorious after winning in Perth and Melbourne and the hosts playing for pride.

South Africa failed to go for the jugular of the wounded Aussie team, who had just suffered their first home series Test defeat in 16 years. The men from Down Under snatched a dramatic last-Test win, leaving their egos bruised, but not broken.

Australia won the toss and chose to bat first, showing confidence in the pitch and their shaky top order. They did have a few scares early on, with the loss of Simon Katich for 47 and then Captain Ricky Ponting falling for a duck. There was a splendid innings form Michael Clarke, who’s 138 got the Aussies to a respectable total of 445.

South Africa's reply brought drama as skipper Graeme Smith suffered a broken bone in his hand trying to fend off a spitting bouncer from Johnson. Smith returned from hospital later with his hand in plaster. This was worrying news for the Proteas who were now a batsman and captain short.

The batting line-up, now even shorter than usual, struggled against a rejuvenated Australian attack. Peter Siddle took his first five-wicket haul helping restrict the South Africans to a total of 327 and with a first innings lead of 118 the Aussies moved into the driving seat.

Close to the end of play on day four, and sensing a pride-saving chance of victory, the Australians declared, leaving the visitors to get 376 in a little over a day's play. They knew that South Africa had chased down 414 previously.

The South Africans knew that with the series won the Aussies were playing for pride, but sending in fast bowler Morne Morkel to open the batting with Neil McKenzie just made it that little bit easier for the hosts to get early wickets and cause some uncertainty in the Proteas dressing room.

Why didn’t everyone just move up one in the batting order? With the loss of Morkel for a duck – lasting only two balls – Hashim Amla came to the crease.

He looked at ease, contributing 59 to the cause. AB de Villiers also made an effort with his 56 but by tea on the final day South Africa's hopes of a whitewash series win were resting on the shoulders of Dale Steyn and Makhaya Nitini.

As they battled on, getting closer to close of play and a well-fought draw, we started to wonder if Smith would come to the aid of his team if a wicket was to fall. A successful lbw appeal from Andrew McDonald ended Steyn’s innings, but before the Aussies could celebrate the win, the burly figure of Smith made his way to the middle.

What makes a good leader? Is it his ability to lead from the front, an awareness of the match situation, or the knack of knowing how to get the best out of his players?

All these attributes serve a good modern day captain well, but cutting off a cast and coming out to bat with a broken hand (and let's not forget the tennis elbow) to try and draw a Test is something special.

Smith might have been an arrogant young man when the Proteas toured Australia last time, trying to talk the talk but failing to walk the walk. However the man that emerged from the pavilion this time was someone quite different.

Who cares that he survived seven of the remaining 17 balls to close of play, and with just 10 deliveries to go he missed one and was bowled by Johnson.

Watching him face those 17 balls was both heart-warming and heart-wrenching. The Aussies may have won the game, but I think Smith finally won the cricketing world’s admiration and respect.