BRITTLE England collapsed for the second time in four days in Johannesburg as South Africa deservedly levelled the Test series at 1-1.
England were unable even to match their first innings effort of 180, this time being bowled out for 169, to lose the fourth Test by an innings and 74 runs.
It was a disappointing, though not unexpected, conclusion to the series, which ended up with an appealing symmetry of two narrow draws and one big win each.
A prelude to England's uncharacteristic tail-end resistance came last summer when James Anderson and number 11 Monty Panesar held out for 11.3 overs to draw the first Ashes Test.
The personnel had changed by the first Test of this series in Centurion but the situation was identical as Paul Collingwood and Durham team-mate Graham Onions survived a combined total of 19 deliveries.
Again, just like last summer, buoyant England used the momentum from somehow saving the first Test by winning the second match easily.
Graeme Swann took his second five-for in successive Tests, and nine wickets in the match, as the hosts were bowled out for 343 and then just 133 runs.
Alastair Cook (118) and Ian Bell (140) responded to their critics by scoring centuries under severe pressure as England racked up 574-9dec to win by an innings.
In the third Test in Cape Town, England were again on the back-foot and, incredibly, saved a draw with a last-wicket stand for a third time in six months.
After South Africa gained a lead of just 18 runs from the first innings, Proteas captain Graeme Smith (183) then took the match away from the tourists in the second innings.
England were given the notional task of a world record fourth innings chase of 466 runs to win and seal the series.
But early wickets left England on 160-5 and looking for the draw at best. Collingwood - as solid as ever - and Bell, who was returning to some of his best form, looked set to save the match comfortably.
They enjoyed a stand of 112 for the sixth wicket which took the innings beyond tea on the final day - but, of course, there was to be a twist.
Four wickets fell for 18 runs to leave England perilously on 290-9 with Swann and, once again, Onions at the crease.
But the pair survived 17 balls to give England another great escape and leave the South Africans visibly demoralised.
So, it was to Smith's credit that his team went out and utterly dominated the final Test despite losing the toss.
England elected to bat in the humid conditions and paid dearly by being bowled out for 180.
Only a stand of 76 from Collingwood (47) and Bell (35) provided much to cheer before an entertaining cameo from Swann who scored at exactly a run-per-ball for his 27.
Smith then took centre stage to score another century as South Africa declared on 423-7.
By the end of the third day, England had been reduced to 48-3 with two full days of batting required to save another draw.
Indeed, it proved much easier than expected for the Proteas who wrapped up the win before lunch on the fourth day.
Collingwood (71) offered resistance yet again but he has been badly let down by his team-mates all series and no other batsman scored more than 22 runs in the second innings.
Jonathan Trott and captain Andrew Strauss had extremely poor averages of 27.14 and 24.28 from seven innings but the most concern has been reserved for Kevin Pietersen.
Pietersen managed just 177 runs all series, 121 of which came in the first Test, as he recorded an overall average of 25.28. His average in the final three Tests was 11.2.
As expected, controversy dogged the series and added extra spice to an evenly-fought contest.
In the third Test, Smith accused England of ball-tampering and Stuart Broad was shown to stop the ball with the spikes of his boot.
But, while Broad's actions were naive at best, Smith hardly improved his own reputation by not following up his claims with an official complaint.
Skipper Strauss denied any wrongdoing and said the suggestions of cheating were "malicious".
It was Strauss' turn to get riled in the fourth Test after Smith earned an early reprieve before compiling his century despite the review system being in place.
Gaffe-prone third umpire Daryl Harper was accused of failing to turn up the speaker volume which seemed to indicate contact between bat and ball with Smith caught behind.
But, while England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke described the incident as "a shambles", Strauss - to his credit - refused to blame the heavy loss on the review system.
Back to the cricket, and given their impressive record at saving draws, it would be fair to say that this England team has more fortitude than some previous sides.
Even down the order, the likes of Swann and Broad can bat a bit to keep the scoreboard ticking over, while Anderson and Onions are adept at blocking.
But the fourth Test shows that England cannot simply rely on the tail-enders saving match after match.
As a team, England can be satisfied by their results on a tour in which they were considered second-favourites.
Both the Test series and the T20 matches ended in 1-1 draws, and England won the ODIs 2-1 with two matches were lost to rain.
When the losses came on this tour, though, they were heavy defeats.
And with so many batsmen out of form less than year before the Ashes are defended, it is hard to be too optimistic about England's chances of retaining the urn.
England enjoyed a pleasant mix of fortitude and fortune this winter.
To stand any chance next winter, both will be once again required to beat Australia. On past evidence, both are usually in short supply over there.
ENGLAND IN SOUTH AFRICA 2009-10 RESULTS
Twenty20 Internationals
Series tied 1-1
13 Nov England 202-6 beat South Africa 127-3 (13ovs) by 1 run (D/L)
15 Nov South Africa 241-6 beat England 157-8 by 84 runs
One Day Internationals
England won series 2-1
20 Nov Match abandoned due to rain
22 Nov England 252-3 beat South Africa 250-9 by seven wickets
27 Nov South Africa 354-6 beat England 242 by 112 runs
29 Nov England 121-3 beat South Africa 119 by seven wickets
4 Dec Match abandoned due to rain
Test series
Series tied 1-1
16-20 Dec South Africa 418 & 301-7dec drew with England 356 & 228-9
26-30 Dec England 574-9dec beat South Africa 343 & 133
3-7 Jan South Africa 291 & 447-7dec drew with England 273 & 296-9
14-18 Jan South Africa 423-7dec beat England 180 & 169
Full scorecards available from the BBC Sport website.
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