Gary Kirsten admitted his unbeaten century against England on the first day of the fourth Test here at Headingley had not been pretty to watch.

But there was no doubting its effectiveness as Kirsten's 109 not out, his 18th Test hundred, and debutant Monde Zondeki's unbeaten 50 took South Africa to 260 for seven at stumps.

The pair have so far put on 118 for the eighth wicket, rescuing the Proteas from 142 for seven after they had earlier collapsed to 21 for four.

Left-hander Kirsten, who missed England's series leveling third Test victory at Trent Bridge with an elbow injury, batted for over six hours.

He came to the crease just four balls into the day after South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who won the toss, fell to Martin Bicknell for two.

"Graeme (Smith) is a man of extremes," said Kirsten of his Western Province teammate.

"He either makes me wait all day to bat or I come in the first over," said Kirsten in a reference to the two double hundreds Smith made in the first two matches of this five Test series.

"A lot of people say that it suits my game, just being in there and playing horrible so that's what I did today."

Batting was not easy in overcast conditions with the pitch offering early assistance to England's all pace attack.

"Everything on a good length was going to seam, so it was a difficult surface for scoring quickly," explained Kirsten, 35, South Africa's most-capped player appearing in his 92nd Test.

Kirsten was full of praise for 21-year-old pace bowler Zondeki's innings, his maiden fifty in what was only his 16th first-class match.

"I just wanted someone to spend time with me," said Kirsten of Zondeki - nephew of late South African sports minister and anti-apartheid activist Steve Tshwete.

"He (Zondeki) has a reasonably good technique and it was a great effort in his first Test."

England's attack was led by veteran Surrey paceman Martin Bicknell who, 10 years after playing his last Test, returned to take two for 32 in 20 overs.

Bicknell, who also had Jacques Kallis caught at short extra-cover for six by England captain Michael Vaughan, said: "I was a little bit nervous.

"But whenever you get a wicket first ball in whatever class of cricket you're playing it's a great feeling," explained Bicknell, who played two Tests against Australia in 1993.

He added he was conscious of making the most of an unexpected recall brought about by injuries to several England pacemen.

"I didn't want to embarrass myself. Over the last 10 years so many people have written nice things about me saying I should be playing. I just wanted to give a good account of myself."

Bicknell, 34, a mainstay of the Surrey side that has won the County Championship three times in the last four years, said being handed the new-ball was no shock.

"It's when I do best. They knew what I was going to give them. They knew I'd be accurate and get the ball in the right areas."

Bicknell added that Kirsten's gritty innings, his fifth against England and second of the series, was typical of the man.

"There are certain types of players who look good and give you a chance. But a player like Gary Kirsten gives you nothing."