South Africa humble Australia

Ricky Ponting was extremely disappointed with Australia's performances this summer

Australia captain Ricky Ponting admitted his side had been outplayed by South Africa as the Proteas completed a memorable tour with a 39-run win in the fifth one-day international in Perth.

The victory, set up by opener Hashim Amla’s patient knock of 97, not only ensured the tourists won the series 4-1 but also means they displace Australia at the top of the International Cricket Council’s ODI rankings.

Australia can claim that place back when they play New Zealand at the WACA Ground on Sunday but, nevertheless, the world champions have played second fiddle to their hosts for the most part of the Proteas’ visit.

South Africa also claimed a first-ever Test series win on Australian soil earlier in the tour and it was perhaps fitting that today’s win rounded off a tour that began in Perth when they chased down 414 to win the opening Test.

“I guess it's a disappointing way for us to end this series,” Ponting said. "The South Africans have totally outplayed us right the way through.”

The Proteas posted an imposing 288 for six on the back of Amla’s contribution, while AB de Villiers and JP Duminy, arguably the two touring batsmen to enhance their reputations the most in Australia, chipped in with scores of 60.

Australia’s chase was immediately undermined when they lost in-form duo Shaun Marsh and Ponting to debutant Lonwabo Tsotsobe. The left-armer eventually finished with impressive figures of 4-50.

And while a patient 78 from Mike Hussey and some late hitting from Brad Haddin (63) gave Australia faint hope, they always remained behind the required run rate before eventually being bowled out for 249 from 48.5 overs.

Johan Botha was delighted with the way South Africa's young players contributed

It was the third game running Australia were bowled out and, after the first three games of the series went down to the wire, Ponting said he had been disappointed with the way his team finished the series.

"I thought we were competitive in the first three games but our last two performances have been well below par and we haven't played well enough to win,” he said.

"We made a lot of mistakes, whether it be with the ball in the field or our batting.”

South Africa captain Johan Botha praised his team, who were today without the likes of Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini.

In their place Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell were handed debuts while Vaughn van Jaarsveld earned his second ODI cap.

“We had a lot of young players in the team and they gave a good performance,” Botha said.

“We had quite a young team but they put their hands up.”

He added: “I thought the guys played really nicely during the series, everyone contributed.

"I think the tight moments in the game went our way, which we are really happy about.

"The young players came in and put in some good performances and that's what you want to see.”