Jacques Kallis has admitted that he hopes Graeme Smith is given the credit he deserves from South African supporters at the end of his career.

Smith played his final Test innings on Tuesday in the third Test match against Australia and will retire when the game comes to an end following a successful career as captain of the Proteas.

Despite taking South Africa to the top of the ICC rankings, Smith has been criticised by some fans during his career but Kallis is hopeful that the opener's contribution at the highest level is fully recognised.

"A lot of our sportsmen are like that," Kallis, who retired in December, told reporters. "Maybe it's a South African thing that we like to keep our guys down on the ground.

"Hopefully we'll celebrate his retirement and give him the due respect and recognition that he deserves."

Smith has captained South Africa a record 109 times in Test cricket.