England's frustrations finally ended today as Gary Kirsten's departure for 130 heralded the end of the South Africa innings on the second morning of the fourth test at Headingley.
Kirsten's 18th test century, admirable for its stone-walling rather than for strokeplay and spanning more than seven-and-a-half hours, allowed South Africa to recover from 21 for four, and later 142 for seven, to reach 342 all out on a traditionally unpredictable pitch.
England, with time for one over before lunch, reached 11 without alarm in reply.
Kirsten, who described his own stubborn batting style as "horrible" yesterday, put on 150 for the eighth wicket with tailender Monde Zondeki, equalling the South Africa record, before losing his partner.
Zondeki, on his debut and in only his 16th first-class match, concentrated on a straight bat and front-foot driving for a career-best 59 before edging James Anderson to gully and Mark Butcher. He batted for just over three hours.
Kirsten clearly trusted Zondeki more than Makhaya Ntini and decided to hit out as the innings neared the close.
Attempting a lofted straight drive, he skied Kabir Ali to Martin Bicknell at mid-off to end his 323-ball marathon, giving the bowler his third wicket on his debut.
Ntini, however, rebuked that lack of confidence with a test-best score of his own as he ended on 32 not out, an entertaining cameo which included a top-edged leg glance which he somehow directed over the slips for four to bring up the 300.
Kirsten and Zondeki's stand equalled South Africa's eighth-wicket record by Neil McKenzie and Shaun Pollock against Sri Lanka at Centurion in 2000-01.
The five-test series stands at 1-1.