Proteas' Zondo defiant ahead of final day of Test series against Australia

South Africa are on the brink of a 3-0 series whitewash, after closing day four on 149/6 following Australia's declaration at 475/4 earlier on Saturday.

The Proteas need another 127 runs to avoid the follow-on at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but Zondo says the team remains positive in the current circumstances.

"Obviously, ja, it's not been the greatest of tours, but I think as a team, we're still like in high spirits – guys are learning, yes, it's been difficult and the small things aren't really going our way, but I mean we're still growing and pushing," defended Zondo.

"You don't see too many dull faces, I think the one thing, if things aren't going to well and then it's almost like there's infighting or something like that, then you know there's trouble.

"But there's none of that, so the guys are just trying and pushing, they're working on their game. Cricket can work like that, I mean, I've played for a while and you go through patches – it happens like that, and you learn them.

"I'm sure players who have played international cricket for a long time have also had slumps, either as a team or personally, it happens and it's one of those things you can't run away from, it's part of the process of learning and growing."

The 32-year-old right-hander, who top scored with 39 runs before being dismissed through lbw by Aussies' skipper Pat Cummins, believes the contest is not over yet despite South Africa being on the ropes.

"Yes, it is [still a contest]. We've got a day to bat, I'm sure we've done that before, so I'm sure we'll be able to do it tomorrow," he insisted.