The home side completed a nine-wicket triumph on the final day of the third Test in Durban, with Gary Kirsten making 71 not out.

"Our spirits are very low. We are here to play cricket not just for ourselves, but for all the people back home in the Caribbean and our supporters around the world," said West Indies skipper Brian Lara.

"Even today, there was a small group of West Indians singing one of our favourite songs, 'Rally round the West Indies', while we were facing defeat. It is up to each individual to remember he is playing for all those people."

The winning run arrives

The tourists managed to add only 13 runs for their final two wickets after starting the day on 246 for eight.

It left South Africa needing 146 to win and the result was not in doubt as Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs launched their second innings with an opening partnership of 97.

Veteran paceman Courtney Walsh, the leading wicket-taker in West Indies Test history, could only bowl four overs after injuring his leg while chasing a ball in the outfield.

Physio Dennis Waight said Walsh was doubtful for the fourth Test, starting in Cape Town on Saturday and Curtly Ambrose could also be missing because of fluid on his left knee.

The pair could fly home but Lara said: "They'd love to stay on and complete the series. Medical opinion will tell us whether that will happen."

The injuries put the onus on Franklyn Rose, who took seven wickets in the first innings,but he was unable to achieve a breakthrough.

Courtney Walsh: His tour might be over

Gibbs had a let-off in the over before lunch when he skied the ball to mid-wicket but wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs was involved in a mix-up with Darren Ganga and dropped the ball.

Carl Hooper eventually dismissed Gibbs one run short of his fifty, but Jacques Kallis kept Kirsten company as South Africa reached 147 for one in the 49th over.

Captain Hansie Cronje said South Africa's success was a result of "good planning and hard work".

He added: "Every player went into this series knowing exactly what they had to do. I am proud to be part of this team. We took a step backwards in England, but every time this team gets hurt, it wants to fight back."

All-rounder Lance Klusener has been recalled to the home side for the fourth Test in place of spinner Pat Symcox, and Ashwell Prince has been called up to fill 12th man duties.

Final day scoreboard:

West Indies 1st innings: 198; South Africa 1st innings: 312

West Indies 2nd innings (overnight 246 for eight):

R Jacobs not out 15
C Ambrose c Cronje b Pollock 5
C Walsh b Donald 3

Extras (12lb, 9nb, 2w) 23
Total (all out, 82.2 overs) 259

Fall: 1-17 2-41 3-201 4-201 5-204 6-213 7-214 8-245 9-252

Bowling: Donald 20.2-4-62-3, Pollock 27-6-83-5, Terbrugge 13-4-28-1, Kallis 10-1-31-1, Symcox 12-3-43-0

South Africa 2nd innings:

G Kirsten not out 71
H Gibbs lbw b Hooper 49
J Kallis not out 23

Extras (1lb, 3nb) 4
Total (for 1 wicket, 48.4 overs) 147

Fall: 1-97