England won 2-1 against South Africa away from home, and secured their first away series win since 2012, and there were valuable contributions from a number of different players within the team, so how did the England players rate during the four tests?
Batsmen
Alastair Cook - 6/10
Alastair Cook by his high standards didn't have a good series with the bat. Cook managed to only score one half century in the series, and knows he is better than that, but it didn't matter as the team got the series win. Cook's captaincy has been called into question on a few occasions, but he captained his team well on the field to claim an amazing win at a difficult place against the number one team in the world.
Alex Hales - 3/10
Alex Hales really struggled against South Africa failing to impress in all of the four tests. Hales was playing his first games as an England test opening batsmen, and showed that it is not easy to bat on bowler friendly conditions. It will be interesting to see what England do now ahead of the summer tests at home, to see if they keep Hales in the team or drop him after a few poor performances.
Nick Compton - 6/10
Nick Compton made his return to the England test side against South Africa with England looking for a consistent player at number three, and Compton started the tour very well with a good half century in the first test, but faded there after. Compton has been criticised for how slow he bats at number three with many thinking he is too negative, but sometimes the situation calls for that kind of play. Overall a decent series for him, but he needed to kick on after a positive start to the series.
Joe Root - 8/10
Joe Root once again showed why he is one of the best in the world by scoring three half centuries, and a fantastic 110 in the third test, when England were under pressure, to help them win the series. Root has been consistent for a long time now, and has not let the vice captaincy affect his form, and hopefully he will only continue to get better.
James Taylor - 6/10
James Taylor started the series against South Africa very well by scoring a half century in the first test, but since then struggled with the extra bounce to end the series with an average of 26.57. Taylor also took three unbelievable short leg catches in the last two tests to show that he can field in the specialist position. Overall though England need more form their number five going forward in terms of runs, but they must stick with Taylor and give him time to improve.
Ben Stokes - 9/10 - Man of the Series
Ben Stokes really came of age for England against South Africa scoring 411 runs in the four tests including an amazing 258 in the second test. It was truly an unforgettable knock against the Proteas which no-one will ever forget, and a knock Stokes will not want to forget anytime soon. Stokes also chipped in with 12 wickets to show his true value to the team, and it showed with him winning the man of the series award for the big impact he made.
Jonny Bairstow - 6/10
Jonny Bairstow had a an excellent series with the bat scoring his maiden hundred in the second test in an excellent partnership with Stokes. The problem though is he made mistakes with the gloves which were costly. Bairstow was reinstated in the team ahead of Jos Buttler to do well with the gloves and the bat, but so far he is only doing one aspect well enough. The hope is though he will learn from the mistakes he made behind the stumps, and will work hard to improve, but overall a decent series for Bairstow.
Bowlers
Moeen Ali - 6/10
Moeen Ali played a a big part in England's win in the first test in Durban by taking seven wickets, but after that took a back seat when the seamers done most of the damage on pitches that were helpful. Ali didn't really contribute with the bat until the final test when he made a half century which was a good knock, but didn't matter as England lost the game. Overall Ali is a decent option for England with the ball, but another spinner is needed to help him out.
Stuart Broad - 8/10
Stuart Broad was magnificent for England in the series win over South Africa by taking 18 wickets at an average of 20.61 which is what you want from one of your senior bowlers. Broad in the third test produced a truly unbelievable spell when he took 6-17 to bowl South Africa for a small total of 83, a match winning performance that won England the series. After this magnificent bowling performance Broad rose to number one in the world, and once again showed how good he can be when he gets on a role.
Steven Finn - 7/10
Steven Finn was the pick of the seamers for England in most innings on tour, and he wasn't even part of the test squad that was first announced. Finn was forever causing the South African batsmen all kinds of problems, and really showed what great bowler he is, and should be an automatic pick within the team. Finn was injured for the final test with a side strain, and was badly missed as he would have loved to have played on the Centurion pitch.
James Anderson - 4/10
James Anderson didn't have a very good series, but to be fair to him he was injured and missed the first test through injury, and didn't look right for the next two tests at all. Anderson finally started to look a bit better in the final test when he took a few wickets, but it will be a series he will know he didn't perform at his best.
Chris Woakes - 3/10
Chris Woakes played in the first and last tests due to injuries to Anderson and Finn, and didn't do very well with the ball by conceding loads of runs. Woakes did though show some promise with the bat in the last test, but he must be thinking when will he get another test after failing to impress in any of the tests he did play in.