The left-hander batted for 273 minutes after vice-captain Shaun Pollock had given South Africa a flying start with three wickets.

West Indies finished the day on 249 for seven, but the start of their first ever Test on South African soil was also marked by critical comments about the make-up of the home team.

The United Cricket Board of South Africa wants to see a more multi-racial side but spinner Paul Adams, the only non-white member of the squad, was named as 12th man.

"The national selectors have informed me that due to loss of form and injury to players of colour who were in contention for the team, they were unable to select these players," said UCB chief Dr Ali Bacher.

They will discuss the matter at a meeting next month and he added: "I am confident that a clear selection policy with parameters that the national selection panel must adhere to will emerge."

South Africa celebrate Philo Wallace's wicket

West Indian skipper Brian Lara chose to bat first after winning the toss and openers Clayton Lambert and Philo Wallace began in typically belligerent fashion with two boundaries each.

But Lambert was caught behind in Pollock's second over and Wallace, who survived a caught and bowled chance before he had scored, followed him back to the pavillion when the same bowler found a gap between bat and pad.

Allan Donald, by contrast, was unable to find a consistent line and conceded 50 runs, including ten boundaries.

David Terbrugge: Bowled tidily in his Test debut

But Pollock maintained his excellent control and also claimed the prized wicket of Lara, who was bowled off the inside edge as he played a back-foot defensive stroke.

Carl Hooper hit four boundaries in five balls off Donald despite batting with a runner because of a groin injury as he and Chanderpaul shared a fourth wicket stand of 91.

Donald gained a measure of revenge after lunch by having Hooper caught for 44 off a thick outside edge and later trapped Chanderpaul lbw to finish with figures of two for 83.

South Africa included one new cap in seamer David Terbrugge and he was rewarded for a tidy debut when he took the wicket of Stuart Williams, who mis-timed a pull to mid-on.

Scorecard (at close of first day):

West Indies 1st innings:

C Lambert c Boucher b Pollock 8
P Wallace b Pollock 16
B Lara b Pollock 11
S Chanderpaul lbw b Donald 74
C Hooper c Cullinan b Donald 44
S Williams c Cronje b Terbrugge 35
R Jacobs c Cronje b Kallis 14
N McLean not out 23
R Lewis not out 11
Extras (6lb, 2w, 5nb) 13
Total (for 7 wickets, 90 overs) 249

Fall: 1-17 2-24 3-414-132 5-177 6-198 7-235

Still to bat: C Ambrose, C Walsh

Bowling: Donald 20-3-83-2, Pollock 20-4-51-3, Kallis 15-5-37-1, Terbrugge 16-5-32-1, Cronje 1-0-3-0, Symcox 18-4-37-0.