YORKSHIRE'S Liam Plunkett claimed two wickets for England Lions but it was the batsmen who won out as South Africa A piled on the runs on day one of the four-day tour match at Boland Park today.

Playing in intense heat in Paarl, Plunkett and his fellow bowlers were made to work hard after losing the toss but made some inroads after a century opening partnership from the hosts.

However, the pitch favoured the batters and hundreds for debutants Gihahn Cloete and Theunis de Bruyn helped South Africa on their way to a score of 379 for four at stumps.

Cloete opened the innings alongside Stiaan van Zyl (65) and they enjoyed a stand of 122 before Plunkett split the pairing after lunch, finding an outside edge with Alex Lees taking the catch.

Plunkett struck again four overs later to remove Andrew Puttick for a duck, Lees again showing a safe pair of hands, but the arrival of De Bruyn spelled trouble for the tourists.

Cloete and De Bruyn quickly settled into a rhythm and added 150 for the third wicket, both passing centuries in the progress.

Boyd Rankin eventually ended Cloete's stay on 123, the opener cutting to Sam Robson in the gully, while Adam Lyth added the wicket of Khaya Zondo for 21 before the close.

De Bruyn will resume on the second morning on 126 alongside Rudi Second, who was unbeaten on 25.