Birmingham: Graeme Smith plundered a fighting 154* to lead his South Africa team to a five wickets victory over England that clinched the Test Series at Edgbaston on Saturday.

South Africa, set 281 to win the third Test and with it the four-match series after went 1-0 at Headingley, reached 283 for give in fading light on Day Four after the pendulum had swung both ways.

Mark Boucher hit 45 in a crucial stand of 112 with his skipper. The Proteas claimed their first series win in England since 1965, though they did not play international cricket from 1970 to 1991 because of the country's isolation.

Skipper Smith was a doubt coming in to the match because of a back injury but elected to play with pain killing tablets to ease his discomfort. His 16th Test century, scored in 246 balls, and fourth against England steered his team home. Scoreboard.