Butcher has a simple, orthodox method based on picking the line early and deciding whether to play or leave - a sign of a good player. He has plenty of time and gets nicely behind the ball using the pace generated by the bowlers to ease the ball into the gaps. His timing was sweet, giving the fielders no chance to make a stop. Even Jonty Rhodes was a spectator on occasions.
If I were to be very critical, I could probably find two weaknesses. Firstly, the yorker - a difficult delivery to perfect - which creates difficulties for Butcher, who shuffles across the crease before the bowler releases the ball. This means he has to get his bat down at the same time as getting his feet out of the way. South Africa's bowlers feel they have a real chance if they can get the ball in the correct spot.
The other is his habit of leaning slightly back when driving off the front foot, as his head is not really over the contact point. Quite a few balls flew perilously close to the slips off the edge.
Fast bowlers these days feel it necessary to go around the wicket to left-handers and it has been partially successful. Gary Kirsten has had his share of problems but Butcher has probably adjusted best, with his ability to select which ball to leave, especially when you consider all the angles.
The other problem posed by fast bowlers around the wicket is the bouncer. The temptation for most batsmen is to pull their head away from the line of the ball, which usually results in the ball following you because of the angle of delivery. Butcher is composed, ducking neatly towards the line under anything threatening.
He does not lack aggression and a pleasing feature was his decision to continue to play positive shots under adverse conditions. So often loss of wickets signals an intention to occupy the crease at all costs. To Butcher's credit he did not and was rewarded with a century of rare quality, with that sprinkling of luck any batsman needs.
South Africa were patient and worked with precision to their bowling plan, and late in the day the tide really turned.