Dean Elgar says South Africa are in a "very special place" after they hammered Bangladesh at St George's Park to seal a 2-0 Test series whitewash.
The Proteas ripped through the tourists once again early on day four in Port Elizabeth, bowling them out for only 80 to win by a mammoth 332 runs.
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Keshav Maharaj took 7-32 in the second innings of the first Test as the Tigers folded to a shambolic 53 all out at Kingsmead and the spinner was also their chief tormentor on Monday.
The left-armer took 7-40 after making 80 with the bat, richly deserving both the man of the match and player of the series awards as he reached the 150 Test wickets landmark.
CONGRATULATIONS KESH
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) April 11, 2022
Keshav Maharaj has now claimed Test wickets#BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/UCGrvBmjpf
South Africa are second behind Australia in the World Test Championship table, having beaten India 2-1 and drawn 1-1 with New Zealand before hammering Bangladesh.
With a Test series in England on the horizon, Proteas captain Elgar believes his side are making great strides.
He said: "Everything comes with a challenge. I like challenges, which is why I am still playing Test cricket at nearly 35.
"I still feel I've got a lot of good years left and maybe even my best years left in me. If was younger, I might not have enjoyed it as much. This is still a massive privilege.
"I've enjoyed it so far. The last year has been testing off the field, but I've got an amazing core of players around me that understand me as a character, as a player and a person and the nature of cricket I want to play going forward. Slowly, everyone has bought into it. We are in a very special place."
The opening batter added: "We've had an extremely successful summer, not just as a Test side but as a cricketing nation.
"I think we are on the right path, doing things in the correct way. I am extremely proud of the Test summer we've had and the depth we've shown with regards to our selection pool. I am extremely proud of the group of players that we fielded."
