Neither skipper believed his side will carry an advantage or much momentum into the second Test in Adelaide, after the opening match in the series that will decide the world's top ranking ended in a fifth-day draw at the Gabba on Wednesday.

South Africa's second innings came to an end at 5 for 166, a lead of 51, with under an hour left on day five when Australian captain Michael Clarke and Proteas counterpart Graeme Smith agreed to call it a day.

It marked an anti-climactic end to a rollercoaster Test that lost day two to rain and saw mammoth first-innings batting efforts from both countries, including an incredible five centuries.

Clarke, fresh off his unbeaten knock of 259 that set a new individual record for the venue, said it was execution rather than preparedness that was lacking in his side's approach.

But he denied that the hosts will go into the second Test with a psychological edge after clawing back from a woeful 3 for 40 and appearing to be staring down the barrel of defeat on day three.

"At the end of the day there's no result in this Test match," Clarke told reporters.