Scorecard
De Villiers (102 not out) and JP Duminy (59 not out) posted an unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership of 123 as South Africa reached 323 for five in their first innings at lunch.
It was De Villiers' sixth century during a record sequence of 12 Test matches in which he has scored a half-century or better and never been dismissed for under double figures.
De Villiers and Duminy saw off the second new ball at the start of an extended morning's play during which 109 runs were scored off 34 overs.
Duminy, who had scored only 77 runs in his previous seven Test innings, was particularly impressive early on, hitting three boundaries in one over from Mitchell Johnson, whose pace was again negated by a slow pitch with even bounce.
De Villiers, who resumed the day on 51 not out, played himself in cautiously on another overcast morning before starting to unleash his repertoire of strokes.
Australian captain Michael Clarke tried some innovative field placings in an attempt to break the partnership, at one stage having four men in a ring in catching positions on the on-side, only for De Villiers to hit the only six of his innings over the fielders as Peter Siddle attacked his leg stump.
De Villiers reached his century with a sweep for four off Nathan Lyon. He faced 201 balls and hit 13 fours and a six.
Duminy's half-century was scored off 108 balls with eight fours.
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