There are certain seismic moments when it feels a shift at the top of cricket's landscape is unfurling before our eyes. In 1995, an injury-plagued Australia brought down the West Indies reign with a surprising series victory in the Caribbean, which also proved the breakout tour for legendary paceman Glenn McGrath. It started an utter domination of international cricket for Australia, which lasted until about 2008 when South Africa conquered their demons and won Down Under. Perhaps not quite as obviously dominant as their inimitable predecessors, the Proteas nonetheless were undoubtedly cricket's best team over the next five or six years.

In the last couple of years, the Test landscape has felt decidedly open with teams seemingly dominant in their creature comforts but rudderless abroad. Accordingly, the No. 1 world ranking has repeatedly changed hands but the mantle has felt fraudulent because none of the recipients have been particularly good. In other words, there hasn't been a definitive 'best Test team' since South Africa started to spiral after losing legendary duo Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith a couple of years ago.

Sliding down the rankings after comprehensively losing in India and suffering a shock series loss to England at home, South Africa were largely written off ahead of their Australian tour despite the hosts struggling abroad across the formats. Having now won their third consecutive Test series in Australia, a feat last achieved by the West Indies circa 1984-93, this unheralded team astonishingly achieved arguably two of South Africa's finest ever Test victories - in consecutive matches.

South Africa's comeback victory in Perth was achieved through sheer grit and plenty of heart, made the more incredible after losing spearhead Dale Steyn early in the contest. Neil Manthorp, South Africa's broadcasting doyen, rated it arguably their