One of the most satisfying aspects of South Africa's reaching the final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Christchurch, New Zealand to coach Hylton Ackerman was the contribution of the eight players of colour in his side.

Compared to when South Africa returned to international cricket in 1992 the differences were immense.

"To have eight players of colour is a huge difference to what it was," he said.

Those players also made an immense contribution to the side and Ackerman referred to team captain Hashim Amla as his "Graeme Pollock".

He could also reflect on an outstanding innings today by wicket-keeper Zwelibanzi Homani whose half century got the side over 200 runs in the final.

But it was the run outs of his two best players of spin bowling Amla and David Jacobs that crippled South Africa in the final.

"Three weeks ago I said to the players imagine if they ran out Graeme Pollock in front of 30,000 people at a ground in South Africa, which side of the ground would they leave from, and my Pollock ran himself out today," he said.

"But the Australians deserved to win, for the way they played the entire tournament. And I think it was great that they played four spinners in a one-day team.

"Their captain Cameron White was also outstanding. With all respects to my own captain, he was yards ahead of anyone else here. And their left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty really impressed me.

"We may have lost the final but the learning process for our team here has been unbelievable."

© CricInfo