Captain Graeme Smith expressed great pride in the accomplished performance of South Africa, after Monday's innings and 193-run triumph over New Zealand on day four of the second and final Test in Port Elizabeth.

The Proteas romped to a two-nil series win - their first clean sweep since 2009's whitewash over Bangladesh - on the back of centuries from batsmen Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar and a match haul of eight wickets from fast bowler Dale Steyn.

The Black Caps were characteristically insufficient, dismissed for a mere 121 and 211 all out in response to the hosts' 525 for declared, with wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling's back-to-back half-centuries as good as it got in an otherwise dismal display.

"We have had to work hard to get to this position. I think the wins against New Zealander were professional and were achieved with big margins. We were good as a team," said Smith.

"Any time you win as captain is enjoyable. This team has a good bunch of guys and I play more of a guidance role. We have a great management team and I am extremely proud to lead this team."

South Africa were without the injured JP Duminy for the entire series, and the in-form Philander for the final match. Seamer Rory Kleinveldt snared four key wickets in the latter's absence, while Elgar rectified a pair on debut in Australia with a maiden Test ton at St George's Park.

"A team is good if there are new players who contribute in any situation. Dean Elgar is a fighter and he bounced back well. We have players who come in and chip in straightaway. for someone like Dean, it is great to come in and contribute, exciting times for the team," added Smith.

Steyn was named Man of the Match for his eight wickets, the first five of which brought him the 19th five-for of his prolific career. The 29-year-old right-armer is now second only to former fast bowler and current national bowling coach Allan Donald, who clinched 20 five wicket-hauls during his 72-match career between 1992 and 2002.

"We got the ball to swing in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. There was no Vernon Philander and that gave me more chances to take wickets. I am trying to bowl quick all the time and I was bowling in a nice rhythm," enthused Steyn.

"If I can bowl quickly and pick up wickets, it boosts the morale of the team. Everybody plays their part in the team. I am pretty happy with my five-wicket haul but there are more Tests to be played down the line."

The Proteas and Black Caps will soon meet for three ODIs, the first of which gets underway in Paarl on Saturday.