CAPE TOWN, Jan 25: Jacques Kallis's fifth century in successive matches helped South Africa reach a daunting total of 263 for four wickets in the first One-day International against the West Indies at Newlands on Sunday.

The powerful Kallis scored his second 50 runs from just 30 balls to post his 11th one-day century with five fours and five towering sixes in the day-night fixture.

The home side had slumped to 101 for four in the 27th wicket after winning the toss and batting first on a slow, awkward pitch. They looked certain to struggle for a competitive total until Kallis was joined in a fifth wicket stand of 162 by Jacques Rudolph.

A cautious approach gradually gave way to some explosive hitting, particularly from Kallis who was the major protagonist in 22 runs being scored from Vasbert Drakes' final over with two deliveries being deposited deep in to the Railway Grandstand.

Kallis reached 50 from 59 deliveries while left hander Rudolph required just one ball more in his more subtle innings, reverse-sweeping Ryan Hurley to the boundary to raise the landmark.

But it was not just medium pacer Drakes that suffered at the bat of Kallis in the closing overs. Off spinner Chris Gayle was blasted for another six into the pavilion, a carry of over 100 metres, while part-timer spinner, Ricardo Powell, was taken for 24 runs in three overs.

Captain Graeme Smith had earlier steadied his team's innings with a purposeful 53 before he was bowled by the third spinner in the West Indian bowling line up, Ryan Hurley.

Herschelle Gibbs (10) was bowled by Corey Colleymore without offering a shot, pinch-hitter Robin Peterson (21) was run out and Boeta Dippenaar (1) top edged a hook against Drakes to leave the home side precariously placed.

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