South Africa take plaudits

Jacques Kallis was at the centre of a famous South African WACA victory

South Africa’s near-record run chase to beat Australia in Perth has brought a chorus of global approval - and great joy in their homeland.

England’s South Africa-born captain Kevin Pietersen and India coach Gary Kirsten - a former Proteas opening batsman - sent their congratulations from Mohali, after AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith had each hit hundreds to help the tourists reach a target of 414 and go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Pietersen, who himself made his 15th Test century today against India, will be an avid observer of how South Africa and Australia respond after Smith and company upped the ante by posting the second highest successful chase in cricket history.

The Proteas' 414 for four exceeded the 406 chased down by India to beat West Indies at Port of Spain in 1976.

West Indies still hold the record for the highest successful fourth-innings chase, when they made 418 to beat Australia at St John’s in 2003.

“I saw the scoreboard when I was batting today when South Africa won - and it made me chuckle a little bit,” said Pietersen.

England lost to South Africa last summer and face Australia in the Ashes in 2009, giving Pietersen plenty of reason to take note.

“It's going to be interesting, that series,” he predicted. “They've got two more in Australia and then three back in South Africa.

“I'm sure there's going to be some very entertaining cricket played in the next five Test matches."

Kirsten has also had one eye on events in Western Australia, where the world’s number one team - already beaten in India this winter - may be about to meet their match again.

Gary Kirsten, centurion at Lord's in 2003, saw fit to praise Graeme Smith today

"It's great to see other teams beating Australia in Test match cricket,” he said.

“It's very good for the game, and I'm equally excited that it's my home country that's chased down 400-odd runs to do that.

“It's very exciting for Test match cricket that it's happening.”

There was even more excitement in Kirsten’s homeland.

Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola said: “This Test victory by the Proteas over Australia must rank as one of the greatest feats yet achieved in South African cricket and sports history.

“The Proteas have been on the back foot against Australia for more than a decade, and this was still the case for most of this Test.

“However, the skill and commitment that Graeme Smith and (coach) Mickey Arthur have moulded together through sheer hard work over the past two years enabled the contenders to knock out the world champion in the last round of this bout.

“It was a team performance through and through, backed by an excellent management effort, and has set a new benchmark for South African cricket.”

Majola believes thanks are due not just to the players but all those who support them.

“A recent survey showed that the Proteas have established cricket as one of the top two most popular sports in South Africa, and we thank our nation for supporting the Proteas all the way down the years - and this is just reward for that support,” he said.

“CSA’s vision is to make cricket a truly national sport of winners - and this victory, by scoring over 400 runs to beat the world’s top team, shows that we are on the right road.”