HIGHEST MAIDEN TONS FOR AUS 311 RB Simpson v Eng, 1964 234 SG Barnes v Eng, 1946/47 210 DM Jones v Ind, 1986/87 203no BJ Hodge v SA, 2005/06 201 SE Gregory v Eng, 1894/95

Only three other Australians have made higher scores on their first trip to three figures in a Test.

"The 100 was a very good feeling and the 200 was a bit more surreal and I don't think the sense of achievement has set in just yet.

"It wasn't the most fluent innings of my career but certainly the most rewarding," said 30-year-old Hodge.

The feeling was made even sweeter because Hodge had to wait 12 years between his first-class debut and his first Test appearance last month.

Hodge and Mike Hussey are the two new members of Australia's middle order, revamped after their Ashes defeat to England.

If we can get through it I think we'll take a lot of confidence into the rest of the series Jacques Kallis

Hussey, also 30 years old, had shown Hodge the way by hitting tons in his second and third Tests, both against West Indies in November.

"It was a marvellous feeling, a great sense of achievement and a great experience, celebrating with the crowd," Hodge continued.

"I think we really deserve the way we feel at the moment because we have worked so hard.

"It's good to pay back those people like your family who know how hard you've worked."

Hodge said South Africa, who resume two wickets down, would have to overcome Shane Warne on the final day in Perth if they are to survive for a draw.

"It's certainly going to be hard to score runs," he said.

"The Warne factor is a big issue. It is spinning, and he's a tough customer whether it's spinning or not.

"If we get a couple of wickets early who knows what could happen."

Injured South African batsman Jacques Kallis agreed, saying: "I think everybody knows how Australia is going to bowl

"It's just a matter of the guys having the game plan and sticking to it.