"MY BODY is done. My knee is ready for a cleanout. That out there was proper Test-match cricket. That was bloody hard."

Those were the thoughts of fast bowler Ryan Harris after taking 4-32 in South Africa's second innings to lead Australia to a 245-run victory in the third Test in Cape Town, and a 2-1 series triumph.

Despite the loss - South Africa's first Test series defeat in five years - the Proteas retained their No.1 ranking while Australia has jumped past India to take second position.

The victory capped an incredible six months for the Aussies following their 5-0 Ashes whitewash against England.

The only downside was another finger-pointing exchange by skipper Michael Clarke, directed at injured tail-ender Dale Steyn. Clarke was warned by umpires after the incident and later publicly apologised to Steyn for his behaviour.

The two countries will now play three Twenty20 matches - the first is in Port Elizabeth on Sunday - as a warm-up to the T20 World Cup which starts in Bangladesh on March 16.