Smith praises Aussies' improved fielding

Usman Khawaja's century and an improved bowling performance helped Australia defeat South Africa, but the hosts' fielding was also notably better in Adelaide.

Australia batted with more determination and bowled with greater efficacy in Adelaide, but their improved fielding was also critical in a much-needed win that snapped a five-Test losing streak.

Steve Smith's side recorded a seven-wicket win over South Africa on Sunday, completing victory in the day-night dead rubber with debutants Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb

Renshaw finished 34 not out in his second innings, while Handscomb posted a half-century in his maiden Test innings.

They were also lively in a new-look slips cordon.

First slip Renshaw dropped a one-handed catch on day three, which Matthew Wade should have tried to pouch, but held another edge to dismiss Hashim Amla for five on day one.

Handscomb, stationed at gully, completed a fine low catch to dismiss Faf du Plessis late on day three.

"I felt a bit of a switch straight away in energy and presence around the group (before the Test). Come our first training session out here on Adelaide Oval, everything felt like it was running smoothly," Smith said.

'When we got our chance to get out on the field, we had good energy and good presence about ourselves and I think that helps in the field.

"We were able to take some pretty good catches in this Test match, probably a part of our game that has been a little bit disappointing for a little while now."

Australia's fielding has been a concern for Smith and coach Darren Lehmann in recent years.

Former skippers Ian Chappell and Steve Waugh have been highly critical, while Lehmann himself described the side's fielding as "shoddy at best" in 2014.

They started the summer in impressive fashion, when Mitch Marsh and Shaun Marsh both held sensational catches on day one of the first Test in Perth.

But three reprieves at the WACA cost a total of 153 runs and ensured Australia remained in the field for 160.1 overs.

There were no such issues at Adelaide Oval.

"When you have that sort of presence and energy about you, you're able to take catches like the one Petey took last night to open the game up," Smith said.

"It's been great to have these guys come in and create that energy."