South African cricket captain Graeme Smith on Tuesday admitted that his side lacked the 'killer instinct' and blamed the team's inability to cope up with pressure for the defeat to England in the fifth cricket Test in London.

South Africa went into the Oval Test with a 2-1 lead and were billed as favourites to clinch the match and break their winless streak in England since 1965. However, England upset the applecart to score a nine-wicket win and level the series 2-2 on Monday.

But Smith was unwilling to admit that the Proteas are fast earning the tag of 'chokers'.

"I don't think we're chokers," Smith said in an interview to South African Radio Station SAFM on Tuesday.

"England played well although I think we lacked the killer instinct. It's obviously disappointing not to capitalise on the 2-1 advantage we enjoyed at the start of the fifth Test.

"Test cricket is about pressure and we didn't cope with it in this match."

However, Smith was satisfied with the performance of his players during the three-month tour and was now looking forward to the next assignment in Pakistan.

Smith, at 22 the youngest player ever to captain South Africa, said although the team would spend only seven days at home, it is looking forward to playing in Pakistan.

"We have to perform for our country," he said.