London , England ( CNN ) -- AB de Villiers has broken the South African record for the highest individual score in a test innings with an unbeaten 278 against Pakistan in the second Test match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi . It is the 10th time the 26-year-old has passed 100 in test matches and beats the previous best of 277 set by current captain Graeme Smith against England in 2003 . De Villiers record 418-ball knock included 23 fours and six sixes helping South Africa to a first innings total of 584 for 9 declared on day two , after being put into bat by Pakistan 's captain Misbah-ul-Haq on Saturday . Debutant Tanvir Ahmed was the pick of Pakistan 's bowlers finishing with figures of 6 for 120 . In reply , Pakistan got off to the worst possible start losing opener Mohammad Hafeez , trapped lbw to Dale Steyn , to the third ball of their innings . Pakistan managed to avoid any further scares before close of play , finishing on 59 for 1 with Taufeeq Umar ( 16 ) and Azhar Ali ( 34 ) still at the crease , but still trail South Africa by 525 runs . Meanwhile , India are in a commanding position after the second day of the third Test match against New Zealand in Nagpur . The home side finished on 292 for 2 after they bowled out New Zealand for 193 earlier in the day , giving them a first innings lead of 99 runs . The tourists could only add 45 runs to their overnight total of 148 for 7 . Ishant Sharma finished with figures of 4 for 43 after claiming two of the three remaining wickets to fall in the morning session . India 's openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag got off to a flier passing 50 in the eighth over . Both men recorded half centuries before Daniel Vettori bagged a catch off his own bowling to remove Sehwag for 74 in the 23rd over . Gambhir made a patient 78 before edging a catch to Ross Taylor at slip off the bowling of Tim Southee . But Rahul Dravid ( 69 not out ) and Sachin Tendulkar ( 57 not out ) steadied the ship , adding 100 for the third wicket before the close . India are now well placed to take the match and the series after the first two tests were drawn .
CNN scores highest individual innings by a South African in test matches . Record-breaking 278 not out surpasses Graeme Smith 's 277 vs England in day 99 . India in command of third Test against India in Nagpur . Tourists all out for eight ; Nagpur finish day 99 runs ahead with eight wickets in hand .