Kallis became the sixth Test batsman to hit at least 30 centuries

Jacques Kallis hit his fifth century in his last seven Test innings as South Africa ran New Zealand ragged on day two of the second Test at Centurion.

Kallis made 131 off 177 balls as he dominated the New Zealand bowlers with some effortless batting, before Mark Gillespie trapped him lbw.

He and Hashim Amla put on 220 for the second wicket as South Africa soared past New Zealand's feeble 188.

When bad light ended play early, the hosts were 272-3 with Amla on 89.

The best period of day two was undoubtedly the middle session, when the sun shone for the most part and Kallis and Amla treated the crowd to 148 runs in 27 overs.

606: DEBATE I hope Bracewell goes and Martin Crowe or John Wright becomes coach as NZ cricket is right now in a crisis medium-pacer

But as had happened on day one, the storm clouds gathered after tea and the light was offered to Amla and Ashwell Prince with 28 overs remaining.

New Zealand resumed their faltering innings on 187-8, but had only one wicket in hand with opening batsman Craig Cumming recovering from an operation.

Cumming top-scored with 48 before being felled by a Dale Steyn bouncer on Friday, and needed plates inserted into his cheek and jaw.

Makhaya Ntini needed just four balls to finish off New Zealand, with Chris Martin edging into the slip cordon.

Martin returned to remove openers Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs by the ninth over of South Africa's reply.

Smith was dismissed by the last ball of the first over, which he chopped onto his stumps to be bowled for two.

Amla and Kallis have enjoyed batting together in the series

Martin (2-56) then bowled Gibbs for 25 with a delivery that moved sharply off the seam towards the right-hander.

Reduced to 31-2, South Africa fought back through Amla and Kallis, who scored steadily up to lunch.

But Kallis then scored 95 between lunch and tea and reached three figures off 143 balls for his fastest Test century.

He joins the great Sir Don Bradman with 29 Test tons, while Sachin Tendulkar has the record on 37.

He pulled and cut with great ferocity as New Zealand's seamers tended to bowl too short, and showed great certainty against the spin of Daniel Vettori.

I've caught a bit of criticism for not stepping up a gear and hopefully I've silenced those critics Jacques Kallis

His century came courtesy of a short, wide ball from Scott Styris that was laced to the cover boundary.

Amla's innings was notable for some front-foot drives played with great timing and precision.

At the end of the day's play Kallis said: "The last few games and the last year or so it's the way I've been getting my hundreds that has been pleasing.

"I've been getting them at a good rate and playing a lot more positively than I have in the past.

"I've caught a bit of criticism for not stepping up a gear and hopefully I've silenced those critics for a little while.