Five reasons why the Proteas have a huge upper hand in the final match of the series
What started as a series between heavyweights has turned into a rather one-sided affair, with South Africa dominating the Aussies in all aspects of the game. Such has been the performance of their young guns that they barely missed the absence of de Villiers and Steyn and the loss of form of Hashim Amla, another senior player.
Aussies, on the other hand, have been found wanting in all departments, particularly their batting, which has struggled against the South African quicks.
So much has happened since the Test at Hobart. Australia’s chairman of selectors, Rod Marsh, resigned from his post and was replaced by Greg Chappell, a strange decision considering Chappell's reputation as a hard taskmaster in cricketing circles.
A new look team has been named for the day-night Test at Adelaide with as many as six changes in personnel. Faf du Plessis had been called up for a tampering issue and things heated up at the airport as South African security pushed aside reporters who came to interview Faf.
In the Australian camp, Callum Ferguson and Joe Mennie, who played just one Test each have been axed and the selectors have decided to back some talented domestic batsmen for a day-night game. Only time will tell if the Aussie newbies can match South Africa's.
Whatever be the case, watching the Proteas over the last few weeks, it is difficult to fathom them losing at Adelaide. Such has been the way they have carried themselves in Australia that even a draw looks a bleak prospect for the Aussies.
Prior to the tour, South Africa had apprehensions of playing a day-night Test, something they had never played before. But now they head into the final Test, the day-night one, having already secured the series.
Let us take a look at five reasons why South Africa are all set to whitewash the Aussies in the series by winning the pink-ball Test.
#5 Australia's disorganised batting
Even before the series began, there were serious question marks about Australia's batting line-up after Warner and Smith. Only Khawaja has stood up to the Protea seamers in a formidable manner.
Adam Voges, a senior figure in the lower middle order, has looked completely out of sorts and a concussion after getting hit by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield match after the Hobart Test meant his exclusion was relatively easy.
Mitchell Marsh and Peter Nevill have not contributed much in terms of runs and the lower order is a pack of cards ready to crumble at the slightest sign of a breeze. Though Australia have pulled up some young domestic talents, it remains to be seen how they counter the menacing Philander and rapid Rabada.