Jacques Kallis scored his 32nd century to lead South Africa to 262 for four wickets at stumps yesterday on the opening day of the first Test against England.

Kallis was 112 not out after having put on an unbroken stand of 103 with J.P. Duminy and 66 with A.B. de Villiers to steer the Proteas to a solid total after being sent to bat at Supersport Park.

Kallis hit 14 fours and a six in 203 balls, improving his overall total to 10,389 Test runs as South Africa's highest ever scorer. His participation in the match had been in doubt due to a rib cartilage injury but Kallis seemed untroubled at the crease, going down the pitch and smacking offspinner Graeme Swann for six over long-on before cracking him to the midwicket fence in one over.

Future hopes

"We had heard England wanted to bowl first if they won the toss and there was a bit of a (green) tinge to the pitch. So we were happy with 262-4," said Ashwell Prince, who made 45. "We still have some attacking batters like Mark Boucher to come, so we'll be looking for something like 400."

England chose to go into the match with only four front-line bowlers, selecting Ian Bell to bat at No 6 in his 50th Test. And that could come back to hurt the team as Graham Onions had to leave the field for some time due to a calf strain.