Jacques Kallis and Gary Kirsten guided their side to a record South African total on home soil of 658 for nine that put them in control of the second Test against West Indies on Sunday.

At stumps on the third day, the West Indies were 18 without loss in their second innings, a deficit of 376. Wavell Hinds was seven not out with Daren Ganga on four.

The West Indies scored 264 in their first innings, but South Africa replied with their highest ever score at home, beating the 622 for nine set on the same ground in 1970 against Australia. Their highest away is 682 for six against England at Lord's last August.

Sunday's score was amassed with the help of a record fourth-wicket stand of 249 between Kallis, who made 177, and Kirsten, who hit 137.

West Indies compounded their misery by dropping six catches during the South African innings.

Kallis scored his 13th Test century in eight hours at the crease in which he faced 344 balls and hit 20 fours.

Kirsten's innings was his 20th century He batted for four-and-a-half-hours, faced 218 deliveries and struck 20 fours.

It was the ninth century partnership Kallis and Kirsten have shared in Test matches, another South African record.

South Africa resumed on 303 for three and they might have lost their fourth wicket in the fifth over of the day's play when Kirsten, on 22, edged a delivery from fast bowler Merv Dillon only to be dropped by Brian Lara at first slip.

ATTEMPTED HOOK

The second chance of the day went down seven overs later when Kallis, on 84, top-edged an attempted hook shot off fast bowler Fidel Edwards but the catch was spilt by Vasbert Drakes at fine leg.

Five balls after that Drakes erred again by dropping Kirsten, on 41, off Dillon at square gully.

Drakes's miserable morning was complete when he conceded four boundaries in one over to Kirsten.

Kallis went to his century with a sumptuous cover drive for four off fast bowler Adam Sanford and Kirsten followed an hour later with a four past point off part-time leg-spinner Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Kallis and Kirsten exploited the sound pitch and perfect batting conditions to the full with seamless batting until they were separated 17 overs after lunch when Kirsten attempted to sweep a ball from Sarwan and sent a catch looping to Drakes at square leg.

Kallis was out an over before tea when he cut a delivery from Dillon to Sarwan at point.

Neil McKenzie was caught behind by Ridley Jacobs off Drakes for 32 after four overs of the third session and Drakes claimed his second wicket when he trapped Mark Boucher in front for 12.

Shaun Pollock, who was 38 not out, and Andrew Hall, who scored 32, added 50 for the eighth wicket before Hall top-edged a pull off Sarwan to substitute fielder Dwayne Smith at mid-wicket.

The innings was declared after Makhaya Ntini drove a ball from Sanford to Lara in the covers to be dismissed for nought.

The first Test of the four-match series was won by South Africa by 189 runs.