Dean Elgar struck a stroke-filled unbeaten century to guide South Africa to 194 for three at tea in reply to India's 245 all out in the first innings on the second day of the opening Test on Wednesday.
Elgar, who has announced his retirement from international cricket after this series, made batting look easy on a spongy SuperSport Park pitch after the early dismissal of Aiden Markram (5).
Together with the young Tony de Zorzi (28), Elgar (115 not out) shared 93 runs for the second wicket to build South Africa's innings before Jasprit Bumrah picked up two wickets — de Zorzi and Keegan Petersen (2) — in consecutive overs.
It was Elgar's 14 Test century and only second against India. He has so far struck 21 fours during his unbeaten 168-ball knock as South Africa still trail India by 51 runs.
South Africa's debutant batter David Bedingham raced to 32 not out (47 balls, 2x4s, 2x6s) while adding 81 runs unbeaten for the fourth wicket with Elgar.
First century at home for a South African batter in seven home Tests against India since 2014
KL Rahul scored one of his most satisfying hundreds in extremely difficult batting conditions to take India to an above-par first innings score of 245 against South Africa on the second day of the opening Test on Wednesday.
At lunch, South Africa were 49 for one as Rahul followed his hundred with a regulation catch to dismiss Aiden Markram (5), who was forced to nick one off Mohammed Siraj (1/19) that nipped away a shade after pitching.
Siraj used the overcast conditions to good effect as he continuously troubled Dean Elgar (30 batting) and Tony de Zorzi (12 batting) beating their bats on a number of occasions.
Starting the day unbeaten on 70, Rahul made 101 off just 137 balls and this innings could well be considered on par with some of the best knocks played by Indians in SENA countries if the degree of difficulty is taken into account.
No Test batter from any other country has been able to score two Test hundreds at the Supersport Park and Rahul now holds that unique record.
His innings had 14 boundaries and four sixes as he most of the time decided to ride the bounce rather than get on top of it en route his eighth Test ton.