Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann and Zubayr Hamza scored half-centuries for South Africa A on day one of the first four-day match against India A in Bengaluru.
Opener Jordan top-scored with 71 (140 balls, eight fours) and shared in an excellent century stand with Hamza, who made 66 (109 balls, nine fours and a six).
After a flurry of wickets, Rubin then hit 54 (87 balls, six fours), before Tiaan van Vuuren (46) also contributed some important lower-order runs to lift the tourists to 299-9 at stumps.
This after they had lost the toss and were put in to bat.
Lesego Senokwane opened the batting alongside Jordan but was out for a seven-ball duck, bringing Hamza in early.
The latter played a key hand in forging a second-wicket stand that lasted more than 30 overs and yielded a fine 132 alongside the excellent Jordan.
Captain Marques Ackerman managed 18, before falling during a key spell sent down by bowler Tanush Kotian, who collected four wickets in all for 83 runs.
The South Africans were coping excellently at one stage when their skipper was in and they reached 170-2, but Kotian’s strikes saw them fall to 197-5.
Rubin, though, helped steady the ship. He put on 72 with Van Vuuren, before also succumbing to off-break bowler Kotian.
Lutho Sipamla (six) fell to what turned out to be the final ball of the day with honours appearing even after day one.
Photo: PTI
