The wicket remained covered amid persistent rain with the Brisbane forecast for more rain throughout Saturday.

South Africa went to Friday's first day stumps at 255 for two with Hashim Amla not out 90 and Jacques Kallis on 84 after winning the toss.

The Proteas suffered a significant blow overnight with confirmation that batsman JP Duminy was out of the three-Test series with an Achilles injury.

The lower-order batsman was warming down by kicking a rugby ball around with teammates on the Gabba playing field after stumps when he suffered the injury.

Duminy's loss poses an immediate problem for the Proteas, who went into the first Brisbane Test without a recognised spinner after preferring seamer Rory Kleinveldt to leg-spinner Imran Tahir in an all-pace attack.

Duminy's off-breaks would have come in handy to add balance to the South African bowling attack, which will be spearheaded by Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Jacques Kallis and Kleinveldt.