Jerry Flannery reflected on a near-perfect autumn by declaring Ireland had lived up to their reputation as Grand Slam champions.

The Irish completed their November internationals with a brutal 15-10 triumph over South Africa played against a macabre backdrop of heavy fog that added to the intensity of the spectacle.

Occasionally thrilling, mostly ugly but always compelling, a match billed as the 'battle of the hemispheres' produced a third successive victory over the World Cup holders.

For once the Tri-Nations winners had been sent packing by the masters of Europe and Flannery was delighted by Ireland's refusal to dine out on past achievements.

"It would have tarnished the Grand Slam had we shown up this autumn and had a poor series," said the all-action Munster hooker.

"We've come a long way and I take satisfaction from the way things haven't dropped off after the Grand Slam.

"I was worried that might happen but the players and management took steps to ensure it didn't.

"We wanted to test to ourselves against South Africa to see how we are progressing as a team.

"This win is a big lift for us because we have massive respect for the Springboks - they're an awesome side.

"We're still no world beaters but we've progressed from the Six Nations. We're proud of what we've achieved."

Ireland had every right to bask in the glory of a deserved victory that was more commanding than the scoreline suggests because at times they made hard work of dispatching a team that was clearly running on empty.

Apart from a brisk opening, Schalk Burger's 16th-minute try and a late assault spearheaded by prop Tendai Mtawarira, South Africa offered little in attack.

Man of the match Rob Kearney, flawless throughout, thrived amid the relentless aerial bombardment and the Springboks, playing the final match of a magnificent season, did not have the strength or energy to execute a more dynamic plan B.

Their discipline suffered and the boot of Jonathan Sexton, Leinster's 24-year-old fly-half who was playing only his second Test, made them pay with five penalties.

The result completed an unbeaten year for Ireland, a sequence spanning 10 matches that has landed Declan Kidney the International Rugby Board coach of the year award.

Kidney has been key presence in Ireland's transformation into a genuine global force, but Flannery insists Gert Smal's contribution was crucial to toppling the Springboks.

Smal was South Africa's coach during their successful World Cup campaign two years ago and his inside knowledge proved invaluable.

"Gert Smal gave us a good insight into the mentality of the Springboks," said Flannery.

"He gave us a glimpse of the mental strength that's got them where they are.

"It was hugely physical but I didn't find it as attritional as a Six Nations game.

"South Africans try and put the pressure on teams with kick-chase and bombs and they've very good on the deck.

"One of the foundations of the win was how solid our back three were under the high ball.

"South Africa have had a long season, you must take that into consideration.

"We spoke about going through 2009 undefeated but we could have lost all of our games yet we would still have gone hammer and tongs at the world champions."

Victory was particularly sweet for the nine Irish Lions who played during the epic 2-1 series defeat in South Africa.

Burger's try was hard to swallow in light of his eight-week ban for eye-gouging Luke Fitzgerald this summer, but otherwise revenge tasted sweet following a week filled with claims of lingering bad blood and bad sportsmanship.

"I don't know any of the South Africa players other than Jean de Villiers, who is at Munster. I respect them like I respect anyone," he said.

"I respect everything they've done. People have talked up the bad blood side of it to the media because they're trying to sell their book."

The only blemish of the autumn was the 20-20 draw with Australia, a match that still rankles with Flannery.

"You'd think that if you'd have scored in the last minute to draw a game you'd looked like losing you'd be happy," he said.

"But the majority of us felt there was more in us in that game and we could have made a good start to the month.

"We got the draw to remain unbeaten but we were disappointed.

"Fiji was a mixed bag, we got a good result with some new guys getting on the field.

"It's important we keep progressing as a team and I think we're doing that."