Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie each made untroubled half-centuries as South Africa reached 109 without loss at lunch on day one of the first Test in Chennai.

Smith (53 not out) reached his 21st Test fifty, while McKenzie (54 not out) recorded his 14th as the tourists cruised through the opening 25 overs of the day at MA Chidambaram Stadium, a venue where India have lost just one Test in the last 23 years.

South Africa entered the three-match series - billed as a battle for second behind Australia in the Test rankings - on the back of four straight Test wins and series victories over Pakistan, New Zealand, West Indies and Bangladesh.

India, meanwhile, were hoping their young squad could build on their one-day triumph in the CB Series in Australia into the longer form of the game.

Smith won the toss and elected to bat as the Proteas looked to build on their fine batting performances in the series whitewash of Bangladesh.

And Smith and McKenzie, who set a world record opening stand of 415 in the second Test with Bangladesh earlier this month, made serene progress, sharing 19 boundaries.

Sri Sreesanth returned after a seven-month break for the hosts and RP Singh was available again following a hamstring injury, but the bowlers struggled on a placid pitch.

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