South African smashed batting records as a depleted Pakistan attack toiled on the opening day of the second Test.

The 368-run stand between Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith was highest opening partnership for 31 years in Tests and a South African record for any wicket.

Even though Pakistan made a breakthrough late in the day, the home side still reached 445 for three at stumps.

Best Test opening partnerships

413 - V Mankad & P Roy, Ind v NZ, 1955/56 387 - GM Turner & TW Jarvis, NZ v WI, 1971-72 382 - WM Lawry & RB Simpson, Aus v WI, 1965-65 368 - HH Gibbs & GC Smith, SA v Pak, 2002-03 359 - L Hutton & C Washbrook, Eng v SA, 1948-49

The day's total set a new South African record, passing the 428 made against Australia in Johannesburg, way back in 1902/03.

It was well short, though, of England's Test record 503, made against South Africa at Lord's in 1924.

With top spot in the ICC Championship table on offer even if they draw the match, South Africa appear to already have one hand on the trophy.

Gibbs smashed 228, the second-fastest ever Test double century taking just 211 deliveries with 26 fours and five sixes.

Smith - left out of South Africa's World Cup squad earlier this week - fell behind when Gibbs accelerated but still hit 151 from 216 balls.

Already without the injured Shoaib Akhtar and the unavailable Wasim Akram, the tourists suffered a further blow when Abdur Razzaq withdrew with a knee injury.

On their home ground, Gibbs and Smith broke the South African record stand of 341, set by Eddie Barlow and Graeme Pollock against Australia at Adelaide.

Only Nathan Astle, who reached 200 from 153 balls against England at Christchurch a year ago, has hit a double-ton quicker than Gibbs.

There were chances - Gibbs was dropped at backward point by Yousuf Youhana off Mohammad Sami when he had made 29.

Smith was dropped at slip on 54

And he gave another chance on 99 when a leaping Salim Elahi at midwicket could not hold a fierce pull off Mohammad Zahid.

Smith was dropped by Younis Khan at slip when he had made 54, but new call-up Mohammed Zahid finally bowled the left-hander after a 338-minute innings.

Gibbs passed his career-best 211, made against New Zealand at Christchurch in 1998/99.

But he was denied a chance to chase the South African record of 275 when he was given out caught off Saqlain Mushtaq at gully.

Replays showed he was hit on the pad but it was the spinner's only reward in 32 wayward overs, which cost 160.

Joint record-holder Gary Kirsten missed out on the run-fest when he was caught off the glove in the next over, a sole high-point for captain Waqar Younis.

But Boeta Dippenaar and Jacques Kallis saw the hosts through to stumps with an unbroken 31-run partnership in a sedate last 10 overs.

South Africa: Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Neil McKenzie, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock (captain), Nicky Boje, Makhaya Ntini, Mornantau Hayward, Andrew Hall.

Pakistan: Waqar Younis (captain), Inzamam-ul-Haq, Taufeeq Umar, Salim Elahi, Yousuf Youhana, Faisal Iqbal, Younis Khan, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Zahid, Saqlain Mushtaq.