Contrasting centuries from AB de Villiers and JP Duminy lifted South Africa to 8-413 at tea on day two of the second Test.

Australia’s vaunted attack toiled in a fashion they hadn’t experienced since the Ashes series in England, with Michael Clarke putting his pace trio on ice after Mitchell Johnson bowled the 133rd over.

The visitors have already bowled 148 overs – their longest stint in the field since sending down 149.5 overs against England at Trent Bridge in July 2013.

Duminy is 118 not out, with no sign of a declaration coming after the dismissal of Wayne Parnell for ten preceded tea.

The Proteas were in complete control on a placid Port Elizabeth pitch, adding 199 runs in Friday’s two sessions.

But their sluggish run-rate on Thursday and refusal to chase quick runs on Friday will make it hard for skipper Graeme Smith to force a result, unless Australia prove inept with the willow.

Nathan Lyon grabbed the prized scalp of de Villiers (116) in the second session to have figures of 4-126 from 45 overs.

Lyon has been the pick of the seven bowlers Clarke tried, including himself.

The skipper even enjoyed some success, dismissing Vernon Philander caught and bowled for six to snaffled his first Test wicket since knocking over Jacques Kallis at Adelaide Oval in 2012.

But this has been a turgid struggle since Smith won the toss.

The batting of de Villiers has been a noted exception.

De Villiers breezed to a century after South Africa saw off the second new ball, taken when play resumed 19 minutes early on day two, in style.

The No.1 batsman on the ICC’s Test rankings offered the most resistance in his side’s first Test loss in Centurion, and again lived up to the mantle with some dazzling strokes at St George’s Park.

De Villiers, who resumed on 51 after setting a new record on day one by posting at least a half-century in 12 consecutive Tests, was very rarely troubled by the Australian attack until he fell to Lyon shortly after lunch.

But Duminy continued the Proteas’ stranglehold on the game, bringing up his third Test ton.

The morning session was the first time this series the hosts made it through a session without losing a wicket and the second day in a row Johnson failed to hold sway.

No paceman has taken a wicket since the first session on the opening day.