Over the past two days of the third Test, South Africa have done an Australia on Australia.
With ball and then bat, they’ve crushed the home side into the dust.
Australia came to Perth with designs on stealing South Africa’s No.1 ranking.
But up until now at the WACA, the Proteas have given a not-so friendly reminder of who dominates Test cricket.
The humiliating lesson dished out by South Africa is reminiscent of the Australia of old.
Under Steve Waugh, Australia’s once-in-a-generation team of stars would routinely beat opposition teams and then beat them some more.
Waugh never showed mercy, and Australia were renowned for going for the jugular.
In setting a fourth innings run chase more than 200 runs greater than the all-time record, South Africa have shown a similar killer instinct.
Hashim Amla (196 from 221), dictated terms from the moment he came to the crease late on day two.
Steady runs would have been enough for South Africa to capitalise on a 62-run first innings lead, but Amla decided to completely take Australia out of the contest.
He nearly pulled off the rare achievement of posting a century in a session, falling one run short to be 99 not out at stumps.
When AB de Villiers came to the middle, he took up from where Amla left off.
De Villiers may be the first cricketer to ever bring up a ton with three consecutive reverse sweeps for four.
It was bloody minded batting and demoralising for Australia.
By their own admission, South Africa were off the boil in the first two Tests in Adelaide and Perth.
The South Africa of yesteryear might have folded at the Gabba and almost certainly given up in Adelaide – when they were given four and a half sessions to save a Test match.
But they fought to the death and drew both matches.
After being bowled out in the first innings in Perth for 225, the Proteas could have turned it up again.
Instead they came out harder and bowled Australia out for 163.
Graeme Smith’s team first set the platform with their character, and then let their skill do the talking.
It’s clear South Africa are the new benchmark.