Perhaps the South Africans showed the West Indies, on the final day, a bit about professionalism, toughness and everything else that is necessary for Test cricket, especially when the chips are down.

The West Indies did look a bit better than in recent Tests, especially compared with that last tour to Australia, with the younger team giving a good account of itself in this Second Test Match. But it was also patently obvious, especially on the final day of this 50th Test to be played at the Queens Park Oval, that the West Indies have some way to go to be ready for the final fray, when the things are tight, to fight back and win well from adversity.

A magnificent burst of fast bowling by Jacques Kallis, the talented all-rounder (3/9 from nine overs, and final figures of 4/40) helped South Africa pull off a stunning victory in mid-afternoon of the final day, beating the West Indies by 69 runs to go 1-0 up in this five-Test series. Now the West Indies will have to work doubly hard to even get on par, much less win the series.

It could well be that Kallis, angry at some of the unfortunate decisions he has suffered while batting, decided to take out his frustrations through his bowling. The Windies, under pressure, wilted badly from the concentrated effort from the Springboks.

Set 232 to beat South Africa for only the second time in eight meetings, the West Indies started the last day needing 200 runs with nine second innings wickets in hand. They had a minimum of 90 overs to do it in, and at least six hours to play with. They may have batted about five of those hours, but the result was not what the West Indies would have expected.

Soon, the West Indies middle order was quickly disembowelled by Kallis, Allan Donald, who took 2/32, and a very disciplined bowling attack, to be 51/5, before lunch.

To look at Shaun Pollock marshal his bowlers, and to see them respond to his demands, was to observe sports professionalism at its best. There was not a single bad ball delivered between the start of play on day five to the end of the game. Perhaps the West Indies fast bowlers should take note and learn from the South African bowlers.

With Chris Gayle, 23, Wavell Hinds, two, Dininath Ramnarine, 11, Marlon Samuels, nine and Brian Lara, 0, all quickly back in the showers, dismissed by aggressive fast bowling, the West Indies wilted. It was left to captain Carl Hooper, who ended with his second half-century of the game, 54 not out, and Ramnaresh Sarwan, who made 39, to mount a challenge.

But it was never going to be enough. Resistance fell away once Sarwan had been well caught at short square leg by Nicky Boje off Kallis five minutes before tea - another example of a West Indian batsman losing concentration at the wrong time - after a partnership worth 92 runs, and Ridley Jacobs, who had made 93 not out in the first innings, was brilliantly dismissed by Herschell Gibbs' direct hit.

Now, the improving West Indies, who have lost nine of their last 12 Test matches, while winning only one, will have to regroup quickly and be ready for the Third Test in Barbados in a week's time. From here on, it could only get tougher for the West Indies. Like true professionals, South Africa will defend their position to the hilt.

© CricInfo Ltd.