The Proteas put in a strong performance against the Windies

"The two points are crucial but I liked the way we played, with lots of energy, passion and freedom," Smith enthused.

"It's been a tough few days building up to the game having played so badly in Guyana but all credit to the boys.

"We managed to play our natural game under pressure and I guess that's what it's all about, so we're happy."

The captain was delighted his team posted such a commanding score, 356-4, courtesy of a masterful century from AB de Villiers and an entertaining 80 by Jacques Kallis.

Smith said: "It went around a bit in the first 10 overs and the way we counteracted that and finished off at the death to get 356 was a superb total.

"We had the game won pretty early and it was about finishing it off at the end."

Smith also dismissed suggestions that the South Africans were still searching for the right combinations in their line-up.

It's a very special day for me and I enjoyed every second of it AB de Villiers

"We had one or two options against the West Indies we thought might work for us," he said.

"We'll decide as we go forward. Obviously the wicket comes into consideration for the next game [on Saturday] and New Zealand is a new challenge."

Man-of-the-match de Villiers was delighted to overcome cramp and dehydration to score his maiden one-day century in such a key contest.

"It's a very special day for me and I enjoyed every second of it," he said.

"It's important for an opener to be tight up front but still play the game and that's what the coach asked us to do.

"I had a tough time. It started when I was on 40 but I'm OK now and luckily got through it to get to my hundred."

De Villiers enjoyed a dominant second-wicket partnership of 170 in 29 overs with Jacques Kallis to lay the foundations for the innings.