Half-centuries from Keegan Petersen, Tony de Zorzi and Clyde Fortuin steered South Africa A to 287-9 declared on the opening day of the first four-day match against the West Indies in Benoni.
The tourists were 46-0 at stumps, leaving the day firmly in the balance.
Having won the toss and opted to bat first, SA A captain Neil Brand (five) fell to Shermon Lewis (1-59) early on.
Zubayr Hamza (30) then joined De Zorzi at the crease and the pair put on 62 runs before the former was dismissed by Jayden Seales (3-23) shortly after lunch.
De Zorzi, who made his Proteas Test debut earlier this year against the West Indies, brought up a well-manufactured fifty off 92 balls (eight fours), but fell a few overs later for 55 after edging Kevin Sinclair (2-64) behind.
Petersen and David Bedingham then combined to add 74 runs – the highest partnership of the innings.
In his first appearance for the A side, Bedingham scored 47 off 50 balls (five fours, two sixes) as the right-hander was caught at first slip, handing Sinclair his second wicket of the innings.
Petersen (59 off 91 balls, nine fours) followed soon after when the ball nipped back onto his stumps, giving Akeem Jordan (3-61) his first of three scalps.
The West Indian seamer struck in consecutive overs with Mihlali Mpongwana caught behind for one. Hardus Viljoen added a handy 17 runs before he was bowled through the gate by Jordan.
Dane Piedt (five) was the next man out, trapped lbw by Seales.
While wickets fell regularly around SA A wicketkeeper Fortuin, he continued to accelerate the run-rate and brought up his fifty with a lofty six over long-off. He fell six balls later to Seales for a 71-ball 53 (seven fours, one six) and with his wicket came the declaration.
The West Indies A began confidently in their reply, with openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul (27*) and Zachary McCaskie (17*) striking nine fours between them from the nine overs they were left to navigate before stumps.
