Paceman Vernon Philander became the fastest South African to take 100 Test wickets on Friday but India can claim the ascendancy at lunch on the third day of the first Test at the Wanderers.

Philander reached his milestone with the only Indian wicket to fall in the morning session as the tourists went to the interval on 31 for one in their second innings, an overall lead of 67 on an increasingly difficult wicket for the batsmen.

The paceman claimed his 100th victim in his 19th Test when Shikhar Dhawan (15) steered the ball to Jacques Kallis at second slip, who took his 199th catch in Test cricket.

Philander is the joint-sixth quickest to the milestone in Test cricket and got to his century one match faster than South Africa's previous record-holder, Dale Steyn.

The home side were, however, dealt a serious blow to the victory chances four balls before the break when fast bowler Morne Morkel went over on his ankle and had to be helped from the field, his chances of more overs in this innings now looking remote.

Image: Vernon Philander of South Africa celebrates his 100th Test wicket during the third day of the opening Test match against India at the New Wanderers Stadium on Friday.

Photo: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images