The home side declared their innings closed on Saturday morning after Zimbabwe were bowled out for 54. South Africa scored their runs off 50 overs at 6.8 per over.

They surpassed the previous record of 296 off 51 overs at a rate of 5.8 held by Australia against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2002-2003.

It was the third world record of the match following Jacques Kallis' whirlwind half-century off only 24 balls and the 286-run first innings lead after the first day of a Test.

All-rounder Kallis smashed the fastest 50 in Test cricket after his team skittled out Zimbabwe for their

lowest Test score.

On a day when records tumbled, Kallis completed a successful day for the hosts by following up his haul of four for 13 by bringing up his half-century in just 24 deliveries.

Kallis hit five sixes and three boundaries before being out for 54.

The all-rounder hit a six off Graeme Cremer to reach the landmark and eclipse the record of England all-rounder Ian Botham, who had taken 26 balls to score 50 against India in the 1981-82 season.

The Zimbabwean's paltry total beat their previous worst showing of 63, which was against West Indies in 1999-2000 season.

Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat but were dismissed in 31.2 overs with only opening bat Stuart Matsikenyeri reaching double figures when he scored 12.

Makhaya Ntini and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher also joined in the act by reaching milestones.

Ntini became only the third South African to capture 200 Test wickets, after Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock, when he dismissed Dion Ebrahim for three.

Boucher claimed his 300th Test dismissal when he caught Brendan Taylor off the bowling of Ntini for two. He followed Australia's Rodney Marsh and Ian Healy into the record books.

With Zimbabwe left shell-shocked after their dismal batting display, South Africa added to their misery by scoring runs with ease.

South African openers Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers guided the hosts past Zimbabwe's total in 11.2 overs.

At the close, South Africa broke a 109-year-old record when they moved into a 286-run lead after the first day. The lead broke the previous mark of 233 set by England against Australia in 1896.

The hosts put on 217 for the first wicket off 221 balls before Smith holed out to mid-wicket off leg-spinner Cremer for 121. He scored his runs off 107 balls with 17 fours and two sixes.

Former captain Heath Streak, playing a Test for the first time in a year after patching up his differences with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU), made only nine in his international comeback.