Herschelle Gibbs' unbeaten hundred took South Africa into a dominant position on the first day of the fifth Test at The Oval here Thursday.

At tea, Gibbs was 122 not out and Gary Kirsten 71 not out, the pair having putting on an unbroken stand of 167.

Such was the 29-year-old Gibbs' command that in reaching his 10th Test hundred 86 of his runs came in boundaries.

In all he faced 190 balls including 23 sixes and one four while left-hander Kirsten's runs came from 130 balls with 12 fours.

South Africa started the second session on 111 for one with Gibbs 50 not out and Gary Kirsten 29 not out.

On a good Oval pitch, England's mediocre attack rarely troubled either Western Province batsman.

Surrey fast bowler Martin Bicknell, on his home ground, set the tone when his half-volley to Gibbs was driven through the covers for four.

Gibbs was equally assured against left-arm spinner Ashley Giles, advancing down the pitch to drive him for four.

And four balls later he used his feet before lofting the Warwickshire bowler for a magnificent straight driven six on the biggest Test ground in England.

Gibbs was hit on the side by recalled paceman Stephen Harmison, bowling from around the wicket.

But Gibbs responded by stylishly forcing Harmison off the backfoot through cover for four.

An on-driven boundary off England captain Michael Vaughan's occasional off-spin, his 20th four, took Gibbs through to his hundred in 167 balls. But soon afterwards England missed him twice in two balls.

Gibbs had smashed fast bowler James Anderson through extra cover for four and cut him for another boundary when, on the third ball of the 55th over, he saw a miscued pull just clear the slow moving Bicknell at mid-on.

Gibbs took two and the next ball thrashed Anderson through cover point where Mark Butcher, seemingly taken aback by the pace of the shot, failed to react at all before the ball crossed the boundary rope.

In all 15 runs came off the over as Gibbs cut loose.

South Africa, 2-1 up in the five-Test campaign and needing just a draw to win their first series in England since 1965, made an ideal start after captain Graeme Smith won the toss and chose to bat.

Left-hander Smith, also of Western Province, and Gibbs made a brisk start with 41 runs coming in the first 10 overs.

But Gibbs appeared fortunate not to be given out lbw for 26 when Bicknell saw Indian umpire Srinivasaraghavan Venkataragha-van give the batsman the benefit of the doubt.

And he then gifted England a wicket when his reckless attempt to take a single off Giles saw Smith run out for 18 after he failed to beat Vaughan's under-arm throw from cover to wicketkeeper Alec Stewart.

South Africa were then 63 for one in the 15th over but from then on it was one-way traffic.