Already in this short series he has hammered 342 runs in two innings, and the home side are still waiting to dismiss him.

Gilchrist became the scorer of the fastest Test double century of all time in Johannesburg.

And at Newlands, he went to three figures off just 91 deliveres.

Click here for scorecard - South Africa, with 10 second innings wickets in hand, are 150 runs behind Australia

"It was important to me to back up after a big innings. I've tended to miss out straight after before," Gilchrist said.

"I feel in terrific form. Also, they seemed to bowl in the areas I wanted them to."

Gilchrist and Shane Warne, playing in his 100th Test, put on 132 for the seventh wicket in 102 minutes to wrest the advantage back to the tourists, who are seeking to clinch the three-match series.

They would then retain their title of world Test champions.

However, Gilchrist said he was aware of the potential symmetry with Australia's tour of India last year, where he made a century and Australia won the first Test by a big margin.

But they then lost the second Test and then the series after being in a commanding position - after he failed in the last two Tests.

"There are so many similarities between Bombay and Johannesburg. South Africa, like India, were at the bottom of the barrel and we all know that India came out and won the series 2-1 after that."

Paul Adams, recalled for his 35th Test, took four wickets and became only the eighth South African to take 100 wickets in Tests when Jason Gillespie became his fourth victim.

Insipiration hope

He is the first black South African to achieve the feat but on Saturday downplayed the colour issue, although he is hoping his accomplishment will inspire young black cricketers

"I don't care if I'm a non-white. It doesn't matter. I'm just a South African and just wanted to do something special.

"However, for a lot of non-white kids, I suppose it is something special.

"It gives them someone to look up to. It shows them what can be done if you work hard."