Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla hit centuries as Bangladesh`s decision to send South Africa in to bat backfired on the first day of the first Test at Springbok Park Wednesday.

South Africa were 299 for one at the end of a day shortened by rain and bad light with skipper Smith unbeaten on 138 and Amla on 103.

South African opening batsmen Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie put on a century partnership as they got their team off to a solid start on the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh at Springbok Park Wednesday.

South Africa, sent in to bat, were 154 for one when rain brought an early tea.

South African opening batsmen Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie put on a century partnership as they got their team off to a solid start on the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh at Springbok Park Wednesday.

South Africa, sent in to bat, were 154 for one when rain brought an early tea.

South African opening batsmen Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie continued a record sequence of successful partnerships as they got their team off to a slow but solid start on the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh at Springbok Park Wednesday.

South Africa were 61 for no wicket at lunch after being sent in to bat.

South African opening batsmen Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie continued a record sequence of successful partnerships as they got their team off to a slow but solid start on the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh at Springbok Park Wednesday.

South Africa were 61 for no wicket at lunch after being sent in to bat.

Scoreboard at lunch on the first day of the first Test between South Africa and Bangladesh at Springbok Park Wednesday.

South Africa, first innings

G. Smith not out 39

N. McKenzie not out 20

Extras (nb2) 2

Total (0 wkts, 24 overs) 61

Scoreboard at lunch on the first day of the first Test between South Africa and Bangladesh at Springbok Park Wednesday.

South Africa, first innings

G. Smith not out 39

N. McKenzie not out 20

Extras (nb2) 2

Total (0 wkts, 24 overs) 61

Bangladesh won the toss and sent South Africa in to bat in the first Test at Springbok Park Wednesday.

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful said he was influenced by the amount of grass on the pitch which could help the bowlers during the first two hours.

Bangladesh won the toss and sent South Africa in to bat in the first Test at Springbok Park Wednesday.

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful said he was influenced by the amount of grass on the pitch which could help the bowlers during the first two hours.

Opening batsman Imrul Kayes and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim were in good form as Bangladesh had the better of a two-day match against a South African Airways Challenge XI at the Diamond Oval Sunday.

Bangladesh scored 375 in their only innings, a lead of 110. The Challenge XI were 74 for two in their second innings when the match ended in a draw.