Paul Collingwood reflected on a "perfect and very proud’’ day after marking his record 171st England one-day international cap with a match-winning hundred against South Africa at Centurion.

Collingwood (105) shared a stand of 162 with new opener Jonathan Trott (87) as England coasted past a target of 250 for nine to chalk up a sixth consecutive ODI win against these opponents and also go 1-0 up with three matches to play in the series.

There was a typically outstanding catch at backward-point and two important wickets too for England's undisputed man of the match.

"It was a perfect day, and a very proud day as well,’’ said Collingwood, after a seven-wicket victory achieved with four overs to spare.

"Today is not far off one of the best innings I've ever played for England.

"Everything went pretty much perfectly from an individual and team point of view.

"I thought the way the team played today was a special performance. Trotty played the anchor role, and we judged it perfectly.’’ Collingwood's captain Andrew Strauss was delighted to see his team-mate set a new benchmark for England ODI appearances, one above Alec Stewart.

"It's great to see him overtake that record, because of the amount of work he's put in,’’ said Strauss.

"In one-day cricket, his bowling and his fielding - as well as his batting - mean it's great to have a guy with that experience in our side, who's also playing better now than he's ever played.’’ Strauss was very satisfied too with an overall England performance, in which a clutch of dropped catches - three of them his - could be the only fair criticism.

"Today was a great example of us playing the type of cricket we want to play, and not making it hard for ourselves,’’ he said.

Strauss' opposite number Graeme Smith paid tribute to Collingwood, and gave credit to England.

"He's one of those players you'd love to have in your side,’’ said the South Africa captain.

"He gives you 100% each time he walks out; he's a gutsy cricketer with a good character about him - and it's a credit to him that he's become England's most capped cricketer.

"He's played superbly well - and his experience really shone through.’’ As for his own team, Smith is well aware there is room for improvement.

"I think we were probably at least 30 runs short - and England played well with bat and ball today,’’ he conceded.

"We could definitely have got to 280 but had a couple of soft dismissals every time we started to get momentum - so that was a bit disappointing.’’ Smith was able to clarify two points of minor controversy in today's match.

He confirmed Trott was warned for time-wasting during his innings - and also believes Collingwood's queries with the umpires led to their decision to call a no-ball from Albie Morkel after the seamer had Eoin Morgan caught late on.

Smith was adamant too, though, that the incident was irrelevant to the result. "I do feel that the umpire was influenced,’’ he said.

"But it didn't define the game today, and it wasn't the reason we lost. The game was pretty much gone - we lost to an England side that was better today.’’ :: South Africa have confirmed Herschelle Gibbs will be their replacement for the injured Jacques Kallis for the remainder of the ODI series.