Cape Town - Before the series, we looked at five areas in which South Africa needed to be proficient against the West Indies.
Today we assess how they performed in those departments and give them a mark out of 10:
The last 10 overs with the bat
With the exception of the opening match at Kingsmead, South Africa’s policy of having a set batsman at the crease for a big finish worked a treat. Even Hashim Amla is clearing the boundaries regularly.
In two matches they went along in excess of 10 runs an over for the last 10, and even in PE where the scoring rate was 7.5 for the last 10 overs, it proved a solid effort given they had to rebuild after losing early wickets.
7/10
The last 10 overs with the ball
Remains an area of concern for Domingo, Allan Donald and the bowlers.
Little to judge them on in this department during the series, except for Port Elizabeth, where they were very poor. They conceded 66 runs in 8.3 overs to the West Indies tail-enders to lose that match.
The problem is execution and regardless of what Donald says, South Africa simply have to bowl more yorkers with great accuracy and consistency.
4/10
Fielding
Big improvement in this aspect of their game compared to Australia last year, when there were too many fumbles, too many missed run-out opportunities, and too many dropped catches.
Some of the dynamism that De Villiers has demanded was there against the West Indies - witness Farhaan Behardien’s clever run-out of Marlon Samuels in PE.
8/10
Captaincy
Some of De Villiers’ decisions in PE were bemusing, most notably asking Aaron Phangiso to bowl the 48th over against Andre Russell. It proved costly, but it may be as a result of South Africa’s ploy of wanting to confuse the opposition batsmen in the last 10 overs.
When he has his frontline bowlers, he looks more comfortable and he made creative use of Duminy too. Captaincy has no effect on his batting.
7/10
Composure
When they were put under pressure in PE, they didn’t cope very well in the field. A lesson learned? Hopefully.
With the bat, Miller’s contributions in difficult positions in Durban and PE provided grounds for optimism.
But their opponents at the World Cup would have taken note of the problems at St George’s Park.
The stresses of that tournament will place all sorts of difficult demands on the players.
5/10
Cape Argus