Former Australia captain Steve Waugh feels Graeme Smith would do well to take a leaf out of Ricky Ponting's book and relinquish the South Africa Test captaincy.

Smith, who stepped down as ODI skipper after the World Cup last year, struggled for runs during the Test series against Sri Lanka, averaging just 29.50 in the three Tests.

Needless to say, the South African public have been on Smith's back, with many suggesting maybe it is time for him to quit as captain.

Waugh echoed those sentiments, saying the runs could start to flow once the weight of the captaincy is off his shoulders, which was the case with Ponting during the recent Test series against India. The erstwhile Aussie captain amassed a century and a double-ton amid other telling knocks against Mahendra Dhoni's men.

"Graeme has been captain for a long time, since he was very young," Waugh said in an interview with Eyewitness News Sport.

"Maybe it would be good for him to be a player not so much a captain. Ricky Ponting has done it and it relieved a lot of pressure on his shoulders. Graeme should think of not being a Test captain and just go there and enjoy his batting."

Waugh was also asked about the Proteas' form, and he believes they need to be more consistent if they want to be considered the best team in the world.

"South Africa has moments when they look like the best side in the world and they have moments when they don't look like the best side in the world," he said.

"They are a little bit inconsistent. They really should have beaten Australia 2-0 in the recent tour, but for some reason they can't quite grab it, when the opportunity presents itself."