South Africa reinforced its status as the world's top Test team when it beat Pakistan by four wickets on the fourth day of the second Test at Newlands.
The victory, with a day to spare, gave South Africa a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series and came after a dramatic Pakistan collapse in their second innings.
It was South Africa's fifth successive Test win, its sixth successive series victory and extended its unbeaten run in Tests to 14 matches going back more than a year.
'It was one of the more rewarding wins we have had,' said South Africa captain, Graeme Smith.
'We were under pressure (at the start of) day three and we needed two days of big performances.
'To get those performances was incredible.'
Pakistan was bowled out for 169 after starting the day on a relatively comfortable 3-100.
It lost the last six wickets for 22 runs either side of lunch.
At one stage four wickets fell in 13 balls, including three off successive deliveries.
The collapse was engineered by man of the match, left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, and opening bowler Vernon Philander who took three wickets each before Dale Steyn finished off the innings.
Peterson finished with 3-73 and Philander followed up his first innings five for 59 by taking 4-40.
The result was a disappointment for Pakistan, who were on top after two days before a strong fightback by South Africa's lower order batsmen on Saturday.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said Peterson's innings of 84 was 'the game changer -- a lead of 70 or 80 runs on the first innings would have been very important.'
Smith added: 'Robbie was inspirational. To get as close as possible to their (first innings) total was going to be the key.'
Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took 4-51 in South Africa's run chase to finish with match figures of 10 for 147.
'He is a world-class bowler,' said Misbah, who felt that Ajmal's performance showed that Pakistan might have had a chance of winning if the target had been 70 or 80 runs more.
'The pressure is different when you are chasing 250,' he said.
Set to make 182 to win, South Africa lost Alviro Petersen 10 runs into their chase, when he was leg before wicket to Umar Gul for one.
Smith and Hashim Amla put on 53 for the second wicket before Smith was leg before to Ajmal for 29 shortly before tea.
Ajmal gained a second leg before decision when he dismissed Jacques Kallis for 21.
Amla (58) and De Villiers (36) shared a rapid 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket before both batsmen perished playing attacking shots.
Faf du Plessis became Ajmal's 10th victim of the match before Dean Elgar hit the winning run.
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