A stirring 122-run partnership between Australia A pair Rob Quiney and Steve Smith briefly thwarted South Africa’s pace battalion in their tour game on Friday, but both were dismissed in quick succession as the hosts reached 5-185 by tea.

Led by the world’s No.1 fast bowler, Dale Steyn, the Proteas started strongly, reducing the home side to 3-44 midway through the first session of South Africa’s only practice match before next week’s Gabba Test.

Steyn produced the pick of the wickets, clean-bowling opener Liam Davis (10) with a gem of a delivery that pitched on middle and beat the bat before clipping off stump.

Phil Hughes (5) and captain Andrew McDonald (0) both went cheaply before allrounder Smith joined Quiney to inspire a fightback.

Quiney scored 85 at a brisk rate, smashing 13 boundaries, before he was brought undone by Steyn, who enticed an edge which was snapped up by Graeme Smith at first slip.

Smith (67) lasted just three more overs before he became Imran Tahir’s second LBW victim of the day.

Moises Henriques (6) and Alex Doolan (4) took Australia A to the tea break without further damage.

Steyn was comfortably the most impressive bowler of the day, bagging figures of 2-33 from 14 overs by tea, while Rory Kleinveldt had Hughes chopping onto his stumps in ugly fashion and legspinner Tahir also knocked over McDonald.

Jacques Kallis, recovering from a chest infection, and Morne Morkel are being rested from an otherwise full-strength South African team.