McKenzie has been in fine form since his Test recall in January

South Africa's batsmen gave their side a strong foothold in the first Test against India in Chennai.

The visitors chose to bat after winning the toss and reached 132 before Graeme Smith (73) was caught off Anil Kumble.

Fellow opener Neil McKenzie fell six short of his century but that only brought in Hashim Amla and the visitors continued to make the hosts toil.

Amla lost partners Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince on his way to a superb 85 in a total of 304-4 by the close.

South Africa had gone into the three-match series knowing victory would see them leapfrog India into second in the Test rankings and the visitors could not have hoped for a better start.

With clear, sunny skies overhead and a hard, flat pitch under foot, it was an excellent toss to win for the Proteas and opener McKenzie set the tone by flicking RP Singh for four off the day's third ball.

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That boundary was assisted by the first, but by no means the last, piece of shabby Indian fielding - Virender Sehwag missing the ball attempting to stop it with his boot at deep backward square leg.

But credit should not be taken away from Smith and McKenzie, who were together at the crease for the first time since their world record opening stand of 415 in the second Test against Bangladesh.

With India playing just four specialist bowlers, two of them spinners, on a pitch not expected to generate turn until day three, the pair established a morning session run-rate of 4.36 and capitalised on numerous loose deliveries with some blistering groundstrokes.

McKenzie recorded his 72-ball 50, featuring 11 fours, in the 23rd over and Smith followed in the 25th when he pulled Singh for his eighth four with the last ball before lunch.

The hosts improved their discipline after the interval and bowled eight maidens in the middle session compared to one in the first.

Amla is close to making a ton for the first time outside South Africa

But Smith was dropped by keeper Mahendra Dhoni off Sreesanth, although it was unclear if the South African skipper made contact with the ball.

Smith sent Sreesanth for four off-side boundaries in the 33rd over but Kumble had him caught by VVS Laxman a short mid-wicket in the 34th.

McKenzie, continuing his outstanding form since being recalled to the Test side in January, added seven sumptuous fours before edging Harbhajan Singh to Rahul Dravid on 94.

Alma and Kallis led South Africa through to tea but the latter failed to get going thereafter and nicked Harbhajan to Wasim Jaffer via a pad for 13.

Amla looked in imperious form and another strong partnership was developing before Kumble pulled off an excellent catch off his own bowling by diving to his left to see off Prince.

It justified Kumble's decision not to take the new ball when it was due but AB de Villiers and Amla, who has never made a century outside South Africa, steered their side to the close without any further loss.