Jacques Kallis passes 12,000 Test runs for South Africa

Kallis becomes the fourth player to reach 12,000 runs (GETTY IMAGES)

Jacques Kallis became the first South African to pass 12,000 Test runs as his side built towards a healthy score in the second Test against Australia at Johannesburg.

Kallis reached the milestone in aggressive style as South Africa reached tea on 213 for four.

The all-rounder started the day needing 51 runs to reach the mark and, despite the early loss of openers Graeme Smith and Jacques Rudolph, he raced to his half-century in 37 balls.

The 36-year-old passed 12,000 runs soon after, with a four to third man, but fell for 54 the next ball when he chipped Peter Siddle to mid-wicket.

South Africa were then briefly in some bother when teenage debutant Pat Cummins snared Hashim Amla as his first Test wicket to have them 129 for four.

But an unbeaten 84-run stand between AB de Villiers (51 not out) and Ashwell Prince (34no) took the game away from Australia again.

The visitors had threatened early when Mitchell Johnson had Smith caught at second slip, before Shane Watson got the faintest of edges to remove Rudolph as the Proteas found themselves 43 for two.

But from there Kallis took over with an assured aggression that ensured the morning session belonged to his side.

The right-hander had to review an lbw decision off Johnson, when he was given out despite getting a thick inside edge, but otherwise he drove imperiously against the pacemen.

After lunch Kallis continued his belligerence, bringing up his 55th half-century with a a flicked six off Siddle.

But in an eventful over he brought up his 12,000th run before offering the simplest of chances to Usman Khawaja to end a counter-attacking 80-run stand with Amla.

Cummins, who replaced the injured Ryan Harris, then struck to claim his first Test wicket when Amla slashed a wide delivery to Ricky Ponting at second slip.

But as Australia looked to push on South Africa again sought to fight their way out of trouble with De Villiers and Prince punishing anything wayward.

Siddle and Johnson came in for the most punishment, while spinner Nathan Lyon leaked 27 runs in just four overs, as De Villiers especially looked to assert his authority.

The tourists' efforts were not helped by an injury to Watson, who remained on the field despite being unable to bowl, with part-timer Mike Hussey called upon to bowl four overs.

PA