FASTEST TO 9,000 TEST RUNS Brian Lara 177 innings (1989-2003) SR Tendulkar 179 (1990-2003) Sunil Gavaskar 192 (1970-86) AR Border 207 (1978-91) SR Waugh 216 (1985-2001)

South Africa bowled West Indies out for 427 in the third Test despite a battling century from Brian Lara.

And by the end of day three the home side had a lead of 143, at 38-0 in their second innings.

Lara saved the follow-on shortly after tea and in the same over became the fastest ever to gain 9,000 career Test runs on his way to 115.

Andre Nel claimed his first five-wicket haul in Tests to cut the tourists down 105 behind South Africa's 532.

The innings was brought to a close when Lara was clean-bowled attempting to slog Nel mid-way through the evening session.

And South Africa openers Graeme Smith, who made 18 not out, and Herschelle Gibbs, with an unbeaten 19, scored briskly in the remaining 10 overs.

Smith survived a dropped catch when he had made just four, Adam Sanford dropping a top-edged hook at long leg.

Tha batting star of the day, though, was Lara, who reached the 9,000-run milestone in 177 innings, two appearances less than India's Sachin Tendulkar, who passed the mark on Friday.

Earlier, Chris Gayle had failed to move on from his lightning day two century when he was lbw to Shaun Pollock for 116.

The left-hander whose century took just 79 balls, appeared out of sorts, declining to offer a shot to a Shaun Pollock inswinger that would have clipped his off bail.

Overnight partner Ramnaresh Sarwan was similarly subdued in adding five to his overnight 39 before swatting a Nel long-hop to deep point.

And there was an agnosing half-hour while Wavell Hinds and Lara struggled to get into double figures, Hinds edging Jacques Kallis behind shortly afterwards.

Nel claimed his first Test five-wicket haul

However, after determinedly facing 84 deliveries for 24 before lunch, Lara grew in confidence.

The left-hander struck three consecutive fours off Kallis to gain his half-century and his hundred came from an imperious hook off the same bowler.

His 24th Test century, and his ninth as captain, took 224 deliveries, with 14 fours and that solo six.

Dwayne Smith enjoyed a cameo 20 on his Test debut and wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs made a brisk 23 before edging Makhaya Ntini behind.

Another debutant, spinner Dave Mohammad, crashed 32 from as many balls, while Lara pondered in the 90s.

South Africa: G C Smith (capt), M V Boucher (wkt), H H Gibbs, J A Rudolph, J H Kallis, G Kirsten, N D McKenzie, S M Pollock, P R Adams, M Ntini, A Nel

West Indies: B C Lara (capt), R D Jacobs (wkt), C H Gayle, D Ganga, R R Sarwan, W W Hinds, D R Smith, V C Drakes, D Mohammed, A Sanford, F H Edwards