South Africa will be able to be call on the services of Jacques Kallis' batting, but he will not bowl for the rest of the Adelaide test after suffering a grade one hamstring strain.

The Proteas bowlers copped a flogging from an aggressive Australian batting performance that scored an incredible 5 for 482 on day one.

Before his departure Kallis had put the Proteas on top taking two wickets as Australia fell to 3 for 55, but midway through his fourth over the all-rounder suffered the injury which is likely to see him watching the rest of the match from the dressing room.

There were fears that Kallis would not be able to bat for the beleaguered tourists but these have proved unfounded.

"Jacques has suffered a Grade onr strain to his right hamstring," Mohammed Moosajee, the South Africa team manager, said.

"He will not be able to bowl in the current Test match but can bat, we can only make a call on his availability for the next Test match closer to the time as it is subject to how he responds to treatment."

Kallis will have to be on the field longer than he was off the pitch - which was over two sessions - if he is to bat in his usual spot at number four, otherwise he will come in at seven.

Before Kallis' injury, The Proteas had already lost pace bowler Vernon Philander who was a last minute withdrawal from the Test with a back injury.

Then Dale Steyn went off with hamstring soreness but returned later and took the wicket of Michael Hussey.

Coach Gary Kirsten is confident Steyn will not be hampered by this injury for the rest of the match though.

"He came back onto the field and he felt okay, so I think he is fine," Kirsten said

It was a tough day for the South African bowlers.

None faired worse than spinner Imran Tahir who conceded 159 runs from 21 overs.

Kirsten said his bowlers started well but let it slip after lunch.

"We have to fight, and we can fight," he said.

"We are certainly not going to come to the ground and be prepared to take a beating."