South African captain Graeme Smith hit what he described as the best century of his career to lead his team to a series-clinching victory on the fourth day of the third Test against England at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Smith made an unbeaten 154 as South Africa won by five wickets to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-Test series.

''I've had some meaningful innings in my life but with the whole situation and for the people back home, it's bigger than just us, this victory. I'd have to say it's my best innings,'' said Smith. His England counterpart Michael Vaughan said defeat was a bitter blow but paid tribute to Smith.

''We've all just witnessed a very, very special innings. The way Graeme Smith came out and played was as good as I've seen anyone chase down that sort of target under that sort of pressure.''

South Africa were set to make 281, by 70 runs the highest successful fourth innings chase in a Test match at Edgbaston and South Africa's fourth highest of all time.

It was South Africa's first series win in England since 1965 and ended a sequence of three series in the country in which they failed to capitalise after going one Test up.

The victory seemed unlikely when South Africa had slumped to 4-93.