South Africa set about reeling in Australia A’s monster score of 7(dec)-480 on Saturday afternoon, reaching 0-40 by tea on the second day of their three-day tour match.

After standing in the field for the better part of five sessions, as Australia’s secondary squad piled on the runs via three century stands, Proteas’ captain Graeme Smith seems determined to spend more time in the middle of the SCG.

Smith is not out 39 and has survived an early barrage from pace duo Nathan Coulter-Nile and John Hastings, while opening partner Alviro Petersen is not out nine.

Earlier, unheralded Australia A batsman Alex Doolan punished the Proteas’ attack to all parts of the SCG as he blasted his way to his top first-class score of 161 not out, passing his previous best effort of 149 with a gentle push into the offside off the inoffensive bowling of JP Duminy.

Captain Andrew McDonald called time on the Australia A innings soon after at 7-480, ending a 162-run partnership between Doolan and his state teammate Tim Paine (60 not out).

The pair built on, and then outdid, the solid foundations laid by Rob Quiney (85), Steve Smith (67) and Glenn Maxwell (64) on Friday, to post the highest partnership by an Australia A pair.

Doolan’s fifth first-class century came against a world-class attack boasting the top two Test bowlers in Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.

Only No.1-ranked bowler Steyn consistently troubled the batsmen, finishing with 3-54 from 22 overs.

His reliable offsider, right-armer Philander (0-88), was outshone by back-up paceman Rory Kleinveldt who took 2-60, while spinner Imran Tahir was expensive, taking 2-157.