Captain Graeme Smith hit an unbeaten double century on Friday as he and Neil McKenzie shared a record 405-run opening stand on the first day of the second Test against Bangladesh.
Both openers capitalised on a flat batting pitch to go on a run spree and frustrate Bangladesh's luckless bowlers.
Smith belted 32 fours and a six to remain unbeaten on 223 at the close. McKenzie's more patient innings of 169 not out included 20 boundaries and three massive sixes.
The duo piled on the runs with ease to build up a record opening partnership for the side against any team, eclipsing the previous benchmark of 358 against Pakistan in Cape Town in 2003.
It was also the highest opening partnership against Bangladesh by any team.
On a day when records tumbled, Smith enjoyed a personal landmark when he became the latest South African to join the 5,000-run club. He followed in the footsteps of Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs.
He brought up his 14th Test century be steering a single past point.
Almost 40 overs later, Smith continued to torture the home side and whipped a Mashrafe Mortaza delivery through midwicket to the boundary to bring up his fourth double century, and second against Bangladesh.
His feat allowed him to become the first South African to amass four double hundreds, surpassing the record he had shared with Kirsten.
Friday's run spree put South Africa in a position to complete a series whitewash after they notched up a five-wicket win in the first Test.
The series will be followed by three one-dayers, with the first beginning in Chittagong on March 9 and the next two in Dhaka on March 12 and 14.
