PERTH, Dec 7: Stand-in captain Mark Boucher, batting at number seven, hit 134 at almost a run a ball to rescue South Africa as they made 367 on the opening day of their match against Western Australia on Friday.

The wicketkeeper/batsman came in with the touring side tottering on 149 for five and immediately went on the attack, 84 of his runs during his 150-ball innings coming in boundaries.

Boucher batted for three hours and reached three figures in just 106 balls. He was out eventually eighth man out, caught at slip by Simon Katich off Stuart Karpinnen.

The only other significant contribution came from 20-year-old uncapped number three Jacques Rudolph, who made 59.

Former Australia test fast bowler Matthew Nicholson took five for 68 before Western Australia closed on two without loss.

Boucher took over the captaincy for the four-day game from Shaun Pollock, who opted to rest ahead of the three-Test series starting next week.

Boucher said he opted to bat first after winning the toss despite the green tinge to the wicket because he wanted to give his batsmen two hits ahead of next week’s first test.

Boucher said Rudolph was making runs at the right time.

“Jacques is a very young, confident player who’s made a lot of runs back home,” he said. “It would be very good to see him carry his confidence and form into the test series.”

The tour match will also give veteran fast bowler Allan Donald, 35, the chance to prove he has overcome a stomach injury. He has not played a test since April.

The first Test starts in Adelaide on Dec 14.