Matthew Hoggard admitted the loss of injured Ashley Giles put a great strain on England on day two in Durban.
"We didn't use the bouncer well enough but the lads were tired and losing Gilo was a drain on our energy," he said.
"It's a very easy paced pitch but if you look at their card it's just one massive innings, if we can get one person in there we can build round it.
"Kallis played magnificently, I can't remember a false stroke and even at the end with the tail he wasn't slogging."
England were 30-0 at the close of play, still in deficit by 163 runs.
The Yorkshireman continued: "We had our plans for him but he came out and played better than our plans so hat's off to him.
"Their innings has been dominated by one guy and, if we can get one guy in and build a big score around him, we can hopefully give them something to chase in their second innings."
Following his masterful century on a wicket that provided so many problems for other top batsmen, Kallis admitted that the innings gave him particular satisfaction.
 | There is still something in that wicket and if we can get the ball in the right areas England might struggle  |
Kallis struck the first of his 18 Test centuries against Australia in Melbourne in 1997 but said: "This is pretty close behind.
"With the side 118-6, to get a hundred is more pleasurable.
"I've worked hard technically on one or two little things I though I could improve on.
"England bowled well and got us into trouble but the wicket flattened out, the ball got softer and it got easier.
"There is still something in that wicket and if we can get the ball in the right areas England might struggle."