Alex Doolan looked calm and classy on Test debut, but the Tasmanian batsman says South Africa’s quicks ensured that wasn’t the case.

Doolan scored a nervy 27 in the first innings, but was far more fluent in the second dig where he compiled 89 to help put Australia on track for a resounding win over the Proteas in the first Test.

Doolan and David Warner made a mockery of South Africa’s struggles with the bat on a difficult Centurion wicket, sharing a partnership of 205 runs that was one short of the hosts’ entire first-innings total.

Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel were probing but not unplayable, with some pointing to injury niggles and others the fact the Proteas had played four Tests in the same space of time that Australia had battled England 10 times.

It raised questions of the potency of the Proteas’ attack, and how they will fare trying to take 20 wickets in the second Test that starts on Thursday in Port Elizabeth.

If the Proteas slump to another defeat in the upcoming clash, it will trigger their first Test series loss since 2009.

But Michael Clarke suggested Doolan would not play a tougher innings in his career, and the 28-year-old believed South Africa’s bowling was excellent and would be again in the second Test.

“I can’t put my finger on any certain point where I felt comfortable at all. If it wasn’t Dale Steyn then it was Morne Morkel bowling at you, or Vernon Philander,” Doolan said.

“These guys are relentless.

“It’s never easy going out there at any stage.

“It’s probably the most uncomfortable I’ve felt in an innings consistently, because there was just no let-up.”

Doolan, on his maiden national cricket tour, is now one game away from boosting Australia to their first Test series win on foreign soil since knocking over West Indies in April, 2012.

It’s unlikely the occasion will get to him.

Doolan noted expectation was the biggest difference between first-class and Test cricket, but that it’s far from a burden.

“I tried to use it as motivation, I don’t think you can totally disregard it,” Doolan said.

Doolan said some testing net sessions were also crucial in preparing for his maiden Test.

“We’ve got the best attack in the world at the moment and they are certainly proving that. To be able to face those guys in the nets and sharpen your skills is just priceless,” he said.

Australia enjoyed an extra rest day after wrapping up the first Test on day four, and will depart Johannesburg on Monday.