Captain Graeme Smith says a great escape in Adelaide has given South Africa even more heart as they consider risking injured champion Jacques Kallis in the deciding Test against Australia.

Smith says despite South Africa playing below their best, Australia still haven’t been able to beat them in consecutive Test matches.

The Proteas held off Australia on Monday to secure a gallant draw in the second Test, the hosts finishing two wickets short of a win to leave the series nil-all heading into the Perth decider starting Friday.

“We still managed to scrap through after not being in great positions,” Smith told reporters.

“And I think that is something that we know – we haven’t been at our best and we still haven’t been beaten.

“That is a very rewarding feeling for us.”

Smith conceded “the writing was on the wall” when starting the last day with just six wickets in hand, but debutant Faf du Plessis obviously didn’t see it.

Du Plessis produced a 464-minute epic, overcoming cramp, exhaustion and sledging Australians in a match-saving 110 not out.

“It just shows you how far you can go if you’re mentally strong enough,” du Plessis said.

Du Plessis, man of the match after also making 78 in the first innings, gained invaluable support from superstar Kallis, who batted with a torn hamstring for two and a half hours and made 46.

Captain Smith hailed Kallis’ courage and said the champion could even play in Perth despite his injury.

“We need to reassess how Jacques pulls up tomorrow and how he goes over the next few days,” Smith said.

“But to watch him to still be able to perform with the bat I think was a crucial factor in the game.

“We would love to have him fit for Perth, he’s definitely not going to bowl, but if we can have him just as a batter, that would be an ideal case.”

Fast bowler Vernon Philander, a late scratching from the Adelaide Test when waking with a sore back on the first morning of the match, was also expected to be fit for Perth.