BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | West Indies v South Africa

After a triumphant tour of West Indies, journalist Marcus Prior says South Africa are ready for the ultimate challenge.

South Africa leave the West Indies after two and a half months having proven once again that they are a team of winners.

They became the only touring side to come out on top in both Test and one-day series in the Caribbean and carried off both trophies in a manner which confirmed their current status as the second best side in world cricket.

Shaun Pollock's side knew before they arrived that victory in the Tests was no more than a stepping stone on the road towards toppling the Australians, the undisputed top dogs in the new ICC Test Championship.

The real challenge comes in November, when South Africa travel Down Under.

Shaun Pollock with the Sir Vivian Richards trophy
Shaun Pollock continues to grow in stature

History would be judging the Caribbean tour harshly if it were remembered for the revelation that five players and the team physiotherapist admitted to smoking marijuana during celebrations of the Test series victory in Antigua.

It was an incident which tainted the tour, yet it should not devalue the achievements of Pollock's men.

Players such as Mark Boucher and Lance Klusener struggled for form, but the tour was ultimately one of overwhelming positives.

The hiccup in the Jamaica Test and first limited overs international proved no more than a wake-up call, as South Africa went on to crush the West Indies in the next five one-dayers.

The way the team came through four tense, tight Test matches before Jamaica was a testament to the growing authority of Pollock's captaincy and South Africa's renowned fighting spirit.

The final day performance in the field to win the second test in Trinidad may well have been the defining moment of the tour, as they simply the ground the West Indies into the Queen's Park Oval dust.

Daryll Cullinan's century in that match and another in the following Test in Barbados set him up for a hugely authoritative tour, although it may well turn out to be his last.

Herschelle Gibbs celebrates a one-day century
Gibbs: Mastered the West Indies pacemen

Just as crucial to South Africa's success was the return to top form of opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs, who amassed nearly 500 runs in the Test series before scoring two sublime centuries in the one-dayers.

Gibbs' return to the international fold after serving a six-month ban for his involvement in last year's match-fixing scandal was low-key and disappointing.

But in the Caribbean, he reminded the world that he is one of the most prodigious natural talents in the game.

The strength in depth of the South African side was also underlined by the upside-down tour of Jacques Kallis.

The all-rounder passed 50 just once in the Test series, but as the bat failed him, so he used the ball to good effect, finishing as South Africa's top wicket-taker with 20.

To cap it all, Jonty Rhodes arrived for the one-day series and played a starring role, while helping to ease the burgeoning talent of his 21-year-old roommate Justin Ontong onto the international scene.

South Africa are ready for Australia.