South Africa captain Graeme Smith rued two golden opportunities that he said could have changed the complexion of the second Test against Australia.
Australia bowled South Africa out for 181 shortly after lunch in Melbourne on Friday, giving the world champions a 184-run victory and a 1-0 series lead heading into next week's final Test in Sydney.
Despite the heavy nature of the loss, Smith lamented two dropped catches in the first innings, which he felt proved crucial.
Andre Nel dropped Ricky Ponting when he was on 17, allowing the Australian skipper to score another 100 runs and share in a 152-run second wicket partnership with Matthew Hayden.
Jacques Kallis then dropped Mike Hussey on 27, just after last man Glenn McGrath had strode to the wicket with Australia in dire straits on 248 for nine.
Hussey protected McGrath in a 107-run final wicket partnership and ended up being last man out for 122, allowing Australia to score 355 in their first innings.
"If we'd taken our opportunities, things could have been really different," Smith told reporters. "Both guys we put down in the first innings went on to make hundreds.
"Mike Hussey's hundred at the back end changed the face of the game. We really had the momentum and he came and took it away from us.
"The whole game could have been different. Those were key moments. If we'd held onto our chances, we might have had a lead of 100."
Smith added he felt his side were competing with Australia and the entire series had been relatively even until the fourth day of the second Test.
"The teams are matched up pretty well. If anything, we need to pick it up a step in our ruthlessness on the field. We need to finish things off.
"We may just get a bit tense, and that comes down to inexperience, playing the best team in the world.
"I think 1-0 down is disappointing, but it hasn't hurt us and in a lot of ways, I'm very positive about us.
"As a captain, I feel we're very close to hitting the mark ... and we're going to come back hard in Sydney."
