he 26-year-old from Pretoria smashed 23 boundaries and six sixes during his 618-minute stay at the crease to guide South Africa, surprisingly put into bat on Saturday, to 584/9 declared before restricting Pakistan to 59/1 at close.
Pakistan -- needing another 326 to avoid the follow-on -- lost opener Mohammad Hafeez, leg-before to paceman Dale Steyn for two in the first over of the innings, recovered with Taufiq Umer 16 not out and Azhar Ali unbeaten on 34 when bad light stopped play seven overs before time.
The second day belonged to De Villiers who punished the bowlers throughout his 418-ball knock, beating the highest Test score by a South African batsman held by captain Graeme Smith with 277, made against England at Birmingham in 2003.
De Villiers reached the milestone in the second over after tea, smashing Mohammad Hafeez for his sixth six before taking a single off Umar Gul to better the record, raising his bat towards Smith, who declared the innings.
He added a South African record of 107 for the last wicket with Morne Morkel, who remained unbeaten on 35, erasing the 81-year old record of 103 set by Tuppy Smith and Sandy Bell against England at Leeds.
De Villiers dedicated his record-breaking knock to his captain.
"I dedicate this innings to my captain (Smith) who wanted me to break this record, and it is wonderful to have this in my name," said De Villiers. "When I reached 250 I thought it's declaration time but Smith sent twelfth man to tell me about the 277 record."
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