Having already secured the series before the final Test, the hosts opted to rest captain Dayaan Cassiem. Has he played, it would have been the 100th time that he would have donned the green-and-gold of South Africa.

However, there was no drop in intensity as South Africa delivered one of their most polished performances of the campaign to finish the series on a high.

Carlon Mentoor - ACK Sport Photography

Malaysia made the brighter start and stunned the home crowd when Syed Cholan converted a penalty corner to hand the visitors an early advantage. Their lead, though, proved short-lived.

Mustapha Cassiem once again showcased his outstanding skill and vision with a superb defence-splitting pass that found Kenton Melville in space. Melville controlled the ball brilliantly before calmly slotting home the equaliser to swing the momentum back in South Africa's favour.

Malaysia continued to threaten during an entertaining opening half and created several promising opportunities, but their finishing once again let them down. South Africa, on the other hand, made the most of their chances.

Just before the half-time whistle, Melville struck again. The in-form forward drove into the circle before unleashing a powerful finish that gave the hosts a deserved 2-1 lead at the break.

With Malaysia forced to push forward after the interval, gaps began to appear, and South Africa were ruthless in exploiting them.

Melville completed a memorable afternoon by scoring his first international hat-trick. The milestone made him the first South African men's player to score a hat-trick for the national side since Mustapha Cassiem achieved the feat in last year's Africa Cup of Nations final. It was a fitting reward for a player who has become increasingly influential in the South African attack.

Hans Neethling - ACK Sport Photography

The goals continued to flow as Ayakha Mthlane reacted quickest during a goalmouth scramble from a penalty corner to make it 4-1. Moments later, Carlon Mentoor added his name to the scoresheet by converting another penalty corner, extending South Africa's advantage to four goals.

Malaysia managed a late consolation through Rozemi, but it did little to dampen the celebrations as South Africa remained firmly in control from start to finish.

Kenton Melville was the hat-trick hero for South Africa - ACK Sport Photography

The final whistle confirmed an emphatic victory and an unbeaten end to the series, with South Africa completing a convincing 3-0 Test series win over Malaysia.

Melville's outstanding display earned him the Player of the Match award after producing a clinical hat-trick that capped an impressive week for both himself and the South African side.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport