South African skipper Graeme Smith continued his prolific form against England as he raced to his century when the second npower Test finally got under way at Lord's.
Smith resumed on 80 and needed only 20 balls to complete his second ton of the series after his 277 in the drawn first game at Edgbaston.
He reached three figures off 155 deliveries with 16 fours and in the process helped South Africa move past England's first innings total of 173. South Africa are 216 for 1.
Play was delayed for 75 minutes because of drizzle but Smith was quickly into his stride against the opening attack of James Anderson and Steve Harmison.
The early signs were not encouraging for the home side and Smith produced his third boundary in the first four overs with a cut off Harmison.
Gary Kirsten, who had resumed on nine, collected his first runs of the day with a push for two off Anderson who was straying too much on the leg side.
But the Lamcashire bowler was showing plenty of spirit and Kirsten was fortunate to steer a shot just over gulley for another couple of runs which took South Africa into a first innings lead.
It appeared that England had failed to learned the lessons of not where to bowl at Smith and he cut Harmison for three to move onto 98.
Then a leg glance for four off Anderson in the next over brought up his century.