In the process, he broke the previous South African individual Test innings record of team-mate AB de Villiers, who made 278 not out against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in November 2010.

Amla scored an unbeaten 311 while Jacques Kallis left stranded on 182 as South Africa declared at 637 for two at tea; a first innings lead of 252. Amla and Kallis put on an unbeaten 377 for the third wicket, a record for South Africa against England.