South Africa, following on after being bowled out for 247 in reply to England’s imposing 593-8 declared, reached 242-2 at stumps after Smith made 107 and McKenzie finished 102 not out.

Smith, whose leg glance against Monty Panesar for three runs brought him three figures, and McKenzie put on 204 and continued their excellent partnership after they made a world record 415 against Bangladesh in March. 

Captain and left-hander Smith required 186 deliveries to score what was one of his most crucial centuries. He made just eight runs in the first innings, which was his first Test innings since overcoming a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two months.

Smith was dropped by wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose off a turning Kevin Pietersen delivery - a routine chance - but he did not add any morer runs before top-edging a pull to Pietersen at point off James Anderson after England took the new ball.   

His innings, following his 259 at Lord’s in 2003, was a much more dogmatic effort as he showed a high level of discipline and resolve with his team under serious pressure of going 1-0 down in the four-Test series.  

McKenzie was equally compact albeit slower in his run rate, but that won’t have mattered to the Proteas dressing room, who will now be thinking they can save the game and move on to Friday’s second Test at Headingley with the momentum.  

Smith told his Bigstarcricket.com diary on Saturday night night: “We have done a lot of talking about what has happened and what we need to do as we have to be honest with ourselves. But it is time for us to deliver now and catch up with England’s level of performance as quickly as we possibly can.