Jacques Kallis hit a century in his final Test match and steered South Africa into a first-innings lead on the fourth day of the second and final Test against India at Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday.
South Africa were 7-395 at lunch, a lead of 61.
Kallis made 115, his 45th Test century. He is second on the all-time list of Test century-makers behind Sachin Tendulkar, who hit 51 hundreds before retiring at the end of India’s series against the West Indies last month.
Kallis also moved into third place on the Test run-scorers list on 13,289, one run ahead of India’s Rahul Dravid and behind only Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting of Australia.
A prolonged standing ovation greeted his century on the ground where he made his Test debut against England 18 years ago.
Among those who applauded was Indian coach Duncan Fletcher, who was one of his early mentors as coach of the Western Province team when Kallis set out on his first-class career.
There were rare signs of emotion from Kallis after he completed the single off Ravindra Jadeja which took him to his hundred. He was hugged by batting partner Dale Steyn and removed his helmet as he acknowledged the applause, seemingly wiping away a tear.
It was one of his slower centuries, ground out over 334 minutes and 273 balls, but it was a vital innings on a slow, turning pitch on which a first innings lead could prove crucial.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni persisted with the tactics he employed on Saturday, declining to take the second new ball and continuing with defensive fields.
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja bowled unchanged for 18 overs from the start of play. He had figures of 5-128 from 55 overs at lunch. South Africa scored 96 runs in 35.1 overs during the extended morning’s play.
Dhoni’s tactics were surprising, however, because India were unable to dislodge nightwatchman Dale Steyn while 86 runs were added for the sixth wicket.
Kallis needed treatment for cramp during a drinks break shortly after reaching his century and his innings ended when he went for a big hit against Jadeja and top-edged the ball into the air to present an easy catch to Dhoni.
The Indian players stood to applaud him back to the dressing room after a 393-minute, 316-ball innings. He hit 13 fours.
Steyn made 44 before he was caught behind off Zaheer Khan.