"We have missed Vernon - he is the most important bowler for these batsmen to try and face and to only have him for some of this series is frustrating."
Monday 7 August 2017 19:57, UK
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis cited England's "relentless" bowling attack as a key reason for his side's Test-series loss.
The Proteas passed 300 just three times in eight innings and were shot out for 226 and 202 in the final game at Old Trafford as England sealed a 3-1 victory.
Moeen Ali bagged a series-high 25 wickets - including a five-for in the final innings in Manchester - and James Anderson took 20.
Morne Morkel scooped 19 for South Africa but the tourists were hamstrung by illness and injury to Vernon Philander, who was forced to sit out the final Test with a back spasm.
"It has been a tough time for us," said Du Plessis. "At times I felt we showed some real good fight but England consistently came up with the answers all the time
"The quality of the English bowling attack has been superb - they were relentless and as a batting unit we never really felt we could get on top of them.
"We also missed crucial catches and opportunities - Jonny Bairstow in the first innings [before he went to 99] and Moeen in the second [before he got 75]. When you are playing quality sides you have to take those chances to compete.
"There is always one guy that comes in and blows the game away from you - that's their real strength. They are fortunate to have all the all-rounders they have.
"We have missed Vernon - he is the most important bowler for these batsmen to try and face and to only have him for some of this series is frustrating - but we also don't have the balance England have."
South Africa's Man of the Series Morkel added: "You set yourself some goals for the year so I was happy with the way I went with the ball.
"I tried to hit the fuller length and I got that right consistently. It is crucial over here when the ball gets a little softer so hopefully it is the start of something."
