Marcus Trescothick added an unbeaten half-century to his first-innings double century as England won the final test by nine wickets at The Oval today to level the series and deny South Africa a slice of history.
The left-handed opener cracked a quickfire 69 as England raced to their victory target of 110 during the afternoon session on the final day at a near-capacity Oval.
Trescothick stole the headlines from Martin Bicknell and Steve Harmison, who both took four wickets to skittle the South Africans for 229 in their second innings during the first hour.
The touring side, hoping for another extraordinary rearguard action and seeking their first series win in England since 1965, had resumed on 185 for six, just 60 ahead.
Bicknell, aged 34 and recalled for the fourth test after a decade on the sidelines, took two wickets in two balls in his second over to all but kill off South African dreams in front of a near-capacity crowd.
Harmison, finding a perfect length to go with his bounce, capped his best performance for England by removing Shaun Pollock for 43 and Makhaya Ntini.
Harmison took four for 33 off 19.2 overs to Bicknell's four for 84. No England side has ever won a home test after conceding so many runs - 484 - in the first innings.