CHENNAI, India (Reuters) - Opener Neil McKenzie was out for 94 after helping South Africa build on a solid start on the opening day of the first test against India on Wednesday.

He tamely edged a catch against off-spinner Harbhajan Singh to Rahul Dravid at slip after skipper Graeme Smith had been dismissed for 73 to leave the tourists on 206 for two at tea.

Hashim Amla (31) and Jacques Kallis (3) were batting with the home spinners leading a fightback in the second session after the openers had guided South Africa to 109 without loss at lunch.

The 32-year-old McKenzie played authoritative shots and put on a 132-run opening partnership with Smith but both batsmen missed out on hundreds.

The pair, fresh from compiling a test world record 415-run opening partnership in the final test in Bangladesh this month, made the home bowlers toil in sapping humidity.

Left-hander Smith struck 13 fours before he mistimed rival captain Anil Kumble's tossed up delivery to be well caught by Vangipurappu Laxman at short mid on.

McKenzie struck 18 fours and hit stunning cover drives, hitting Harbhajan for three fours to reach the 90s before the bowler struck close to tea and McKenzie edged a doosra delivery.

The batsman added 64 runs for the second wicket with Amla, who settled down after making a confident start on a good pitch.

Both teams are eyeing victory in the three-test series to mount a challenge to Australia's number one test ranking.

(Reporting by N.Ananthanarayanan; Editing by Sonia Oxley)