Smith and De Villiers needed only 14 overs to reach their target

"It was one of the best performances I have seen from this team," said Smith, who hit 56 to chase down a 108 target.

"The bowling unit took a bit of flak after Durban but they were fantastic and hit fantastic lengths.

"I don't think the wicket did that much after about eight overs but the pressure we built on them and the way we fielded was incredible."

The South African fielding is monitored by former player Jonty Rhodes, acknowledged as one of the game's great fieldsmen, and Smith recognises the value of his input.

We've got some talented fielders," he said. "Jonty works us hard and it's always nice when it pays off in front of a magnificent crowd.

"AB (de Villiers) and Hersch (Gibbs) lead the inner-ring very well, we've got some good catchers behind and some good boundary riders so it bodes well.

Pakistan are a fantastic one-day team and we know we have to play well at the Wanderers [venue for Wednesday's final match of the series].

"We do perform well there and hopefully we can put in another fantastic performance and close off the series just before we go to the World Cup.

Over 16,000 braved the changeable weather to support the South Africans, a fact not lost on the captain.

"The crowd was unbelievable, the whole day was brilliant, from the groundsman, the way the boys played and the crowd got stuck in too so it was fantastic to be a part of."

Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq was typically rather less verbose, lamenting: "240 would have been a good score on that wicket."