Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis shared an unbroken century stand to frustrate Sri Lanka's bowlers at Centurion Park.

The tourists achieved their highest ever score in a Test in South Africa, thanks to Hashan Tillekeratne's 104 not out, and then picked up two wickets.

But Gibbs and Kallis batted sensibly to prevent further loss, although Kallis was fortunate that a mis-timed hook shot shortly before the close did not go to hand.

The pair have so far added 112 in 46 overs, with Gibbs 76 not out after more than four hours at the crease and Kallis unbeaten on 69.

Ntini treble

Having begun the day on 263 for six, it looked likely that Sri Lanka would be bowled out well short of 300 as paceman Makhaya Ntini took three quick wickets.

But last man Muttiah Muralitharan saw Tillekeratne to three figures before enlivening proceedings with five fours and an astonishing six over mid-wicket off Ntini.

Muralitharan was eventually bowled by Jacques Kallis for 27 to bring the innings to an end, leaving his partner unbeaten on 104.

Tillekeratne had achieved a notable milestone early in the day's play as he became only the fourth Sri Lankan batsman to reach 4,000 runs in Test cricket.

But he lost overnight partner Chaminda Vaas with the total on 277, when he was caught behind by Mark Boucher for seven.

The first ball of Ntini's next over accounted for Chamila Gamage, who was caught at short leg, and the following delivery was a lifter which Dilhara Fernando could only glove to the wicket-keeper.

Fernando strikes