Ntini is now the highest wicket-taker in 2003 Test matches

West Indies recovered from 17-4 through a brilliant partnership between current world number one Brian Lara and Ridley Jacobs.

The experienced left-handers put on 98 for the sixth wicket on a green-tinged Kingsmead wicket under overcast conditions tailor-made for seamers.

Makhaya Ntini bowled beautifully for his four wickets but Vasbert Drakes hit an important 40 not out.

Lara fell to Ntini for 72 after Andre Nel had dismissed Jacobs (58).

West Indies were seriously hampered by injuries with Chris Gayle and Corey Collymore both sidelined with hamstring injuries.

They were replaced by Carlton Baugh, a wicket-keeper selected to play as a specialist batsman, and paceman Adam Sanford.

South Africa brought in seam-bowling all-rounder Andrew Hall for slow left-armer Robin Peterson, while Gary Kirsten returned to the side, ousting Martin van Jaarsveld.

Lara became the sixth West Indian to play 100 Tests after coming through an injury scare to lead the tourists.

Lara showed why he is rated the best batsman in Test cricket

But he lost the toss and was soon padding up as his side's batting fell apart.

Windies opener Wavell Hinds nicked a Shaun Pollock delivery to wicket-keeper Mark Boucher before his team had registered their first run.

The other four batsmen to fall in the morning session were all the victims of sharp slip catches to leave the tourists 57-5 at lunch.

Moments after lunch, Lara, on 13, edged a delivery from Ntini to the left of Hall left at third slip, but the chance was missed.

Jacobs responded by playing some fierce drives and pulls iand had struck 11 boundaries before Andre Nel trapped him lbw.

Ntini then got a delivery to bounce a little extra to unsettle Lara who could only glove the ball to first slip.

It ended an innings fusing class, charisma and style in the fashion that Lara has made his own.

There was time for one more wicket before tea when Nel bowled Merv Dillon for 6.

Before rain ended play for the day early in the final session, Drakes and Sanford were beginning to play some classy shots in a partnership for the ninth wicket already worth 41.

South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Rudolph, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Neil McKenzie, Mark Boucher (wkt), Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel.