His side lost the battle for number one Test spot with India with their innings defeat in the second match here but captain Graeme Smith on Thursday said they were proud to have troubled the home side in their own backyard in the drawn series.
"The fact that we could draw a series in India is a credit for our players. If you see the recent records of the teams that have toured here, not many teams have been able to push India like we have done in these conditions. That's the positive for us more than anything else," Smith told reporters after his side lost by an innings and 57 runs.
"Obviously, we are disappointed for not taking the series but a lot of positives have come out of the two Tests. We have come to India twice recently and have played five Tests and we have not lost a series here. We have to look when India come to South Africa at the end of the year in South African conditions we will take it from there," he added.
Smith rued that his side failed to capitalise from a good position at tea on day one but conceded that India grabbed with both hands the opportunities that came their way.
"After winning the first Test and come here we had the opportunity on day one at tea. At 200 for two we had the upper hand. We just got into situation where we lost quick wickets and the guys coming may be lacking a bit of confidence. Once we fell behind, India took the control. We know in the subcontinent it's very difficult to play catch-up cricket," he said.
