Skipper Steve Smith said his newly energised Australia side can only get better after a spirited win over South Africa in the day-night third and final Test in Adelaide on Sunday.

The Australians ended a five-Test losing streak with a commanding seven-wicket victory over the Proteas, after being well beaten in the previous two Tests and losing the series.

The second Hobart Test debacle, where they capitulated to an innings defeat in four days, triggered five team changes including three batting debutants: Matthew Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson.

Smith's recharged team chased down the 127 runs required for victory on the fourth day of the pink-ball Test to give promise of better things to come.

The Australians have a three-match one-day series against New Zealand at home next month before a three-Test series against Pakistan starting December 15, in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

"We can grow on what we've done in this Test match. It's been a great start for a young group that have come together," Smith told reporters.

"You don't grow overnight. I think it's a good opportunity for this side to play a little bit together and continue to improve and know each others' games, get better as a team.

"It was a great start but there's still plenty of work to do.

"Pakistan have been playing some good cricket, some quality players and we will have to be at our best to get on top of them as well."

SCORES IN BRIEF

SOUTH AFRICA: First innings 259 for 9 decl

AUSTRALIA: First innings 383

SOUTH AFRICA: Second innings 250 (Cook 104, Amla 45, Duminy 26, Bavuma 21, Philander 17; Starc 4-80, Hazlewood 2-41, Lyon 3-60)

AUSTRALIA: Second innings 127 for 3 (Renshaw 34 not out, Warner 47, Smith 40; Abbott 1-26, Shamsi 1-49)

Result: Australia won by 7 wickets.

Player-of-the-match: Usman Khawaja.

Player-of-the-series: Vernon Philander.