Five reasons why the Proteas have a huge upper hand in the final match of the series

What started as a series between heavyweights has turned into a rather one-sided affair, with South Africa dominating the Aussies in all aspects of the game. Such has been the performance of their young guns that they barely missed the absence of de Villiers and Steyn and the loss of form of Hashim Amla, another senior player.

Aussies, on the other hand, have been found wanting in all departments, particularly their batting, which has struggled against the South African quicks.

So much has happened since the Test at Hobart. Australia’s chairman of selectors, Rod Marsh, resigned from his post and was replaced by Greg Chappell, a strange decision considering Chappell's reputation as a hard taskmaster in cricketing circles.

A new look team has been named for the day-night Test at Adelaide with as many as six changes in personnel. Faf du Plessis had been called up for a tampering issue and things heated up at the airport as South African security pushed aside reporters who came to interview Faf.

In the Australian camp, Callum Ferguson and Joe Mennie, who played just one Test each have been axed and the selectors have decided to back some talented domestic batsmen for a day-night game. Only time will tell if the Aussie newbies can match South Africa's.

Whatever be the case, watching the Proteas over the last few weeks, it is difficult to fathom them losing at Adelaide. Such has been the way they have carried themselves in Australia that even a draw looks a bleak prospect for the Aussies.

Prior to the tour, South Africa had apprehensions of playing a day-night Test, something they had never played before. But now they head into the final Test, the day-night one, having already secured the series.

Let us take a look at five reasons why South Africa are all set to whitewash the Aussies in the series by winning the pink-ball Test.

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#5 Australia's disorganised batting

Even before the series began, there were serious question marks about Australia's batting line-up after Warner and Smith. Only Khawaja has stood up to the Protea seamers in a formidable manner.

Adam Voges, a senior figure in the lower middle order, has looked completely out of sorts and a concussion after getting hit by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield match after the Hobart Test meant his exclusion was relatively easy.

Mitchell Marsh and Peter Nevill have not contributed much in terms of runs and the lower order is a pack of cards ready to crumble at the slightest sign of a breeze. Though Australia have pulled up some young domestic talents, it remains to be seen how they counter the menacing Philander and rapid Rabada.

#4 South Africa's young guns

de Kock and Bavuma have been magnificent in the middle order

The Proteas already showed their reserve strength in the ODI whitewash of Australia a month ago in South Africa. But that victory was attributed to the Aussies resting key players.

The drubbing has continued here in Australia in Tests as well, and South Africa's young players, Bavuma, de Kock, Maharaj and Rabada have been prime contributors. Bavuma and de Kock have held the lower middle order with so much strength that the failings of Amla and Faf are not even worth mentioning.

Rabada is equipped with such strength and patience that even at this young age he is the spearhead of this bowling line-up. In Maharaj, they have a worthy spinner, who showed a steady head in his debut and in Hobart.

#3 An inspiring leader in Faf

Faf has led from the front in AB’s absence

Ever since de Villiers’ unavailability for this tour was known, Faf has assumed the role of leader of the side. He has shown so much flair as captain, rallying his troops to bring out the best in each of them that de Villiers is no longer assured of the job once he returns, despite CSA insisting that Faf was a stand-in captain.

He may have courted controversy with the ball-tampering claims, but the whole of South Africa have stood by him, in what seems like an unfair charge on the skipper. But he has trumped his opposite number, Smith, as a captain and handled a young team with so much panache.

Faf's attitude has a shade of Graeme Smith about it and it augers well for the Proteas that he will be available for the pink ball Test since his hearing in the ball-tampering issue takes place on Tuesday.

#2 Rabada, Abbott and Philander

Rabada has been flying high for the Proteas

These three were outstanding in Hobart and Rabada and Philander ensured Steyn's injury in Perth did not affect their bowling. They have run through the Aussies in both Tests, with pace, accuracy and deadly seam movement.

Rabada has been pacy and accurate. Philander has shown why he is one of the world's best when there is movement off the pitch. Abbott stepped in for Steyn and grabbed a six-for in Hobart. Together they have hunted like a pack of wolves and Australia have had no answers so far.

In Adelaide, with the pink ball capable of swinging violently under lights, Rabada, Philander and Abbott will be more than a handful for the Aussies, who have failed to negotiate seam, swing and bounce.

#1 Australia's newbies

Maddinson and Handscomb could be handed debuts

While Australia surely needed changes in personnel, they may have arrived at a wrong time. With the last Test set to be played under lights with the pink ball, most of Australia's initial squad members would have been prepared for this Test right from the start.

But their pathetic failures have meant the selectors have reached out to a handful of Test hopefuls, who suddenly find themselves in contention to get a baggy green, albeit in a day-night Test. At least two of Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw, Chadd Sayers and Peter Handscomb will be handed a debut at Adelaide.

Given the way selectors have treated debutants in this series, Ferguson and Mennie being prime examples, their debut match might well be their only chance to present a case for a long-term run in the side. That this Test is played with the pink ball, still pretty much an unknown, even in Australian domestic cricket, means there is tremendous pressure on the debutants.