South African captain Graeme Smith said the visitors, who scored 227 for five on the opening day of the second cricket Test in Kolkata, were aiming at a first innings total of 400-450 to put pressure on India.

"A score of 400-450 is what I am looking at. It should be a good total. We want to push on tomorrow to get a big total to put pressure on India," said Smith after the day's play.

Though disappointed at the early setbacks, which saw the tourists lose two wickets with only 21 runs on the board, Smith said he was satisfied with the day's performance and was hoping for a good partnership between the two unbeaten batsmen Jacques Kallis and Zander de Bruyn tomorrow.

Heaping praise on Kallis, who scored his maiden Test hundred against India -- the previous best being 95 in Bangalore Test in 1999-2000 -- Smith said, "we are really proud of him."

Asked if Kallis, who skipped the press conference due to fatigue, would be able to bowl in the Indian innings, Smith said "I cannot say at the moment. But may be as the match progresses, he will be able to."

Commenting about the Eden track, the 23-year-old said it looked dryer than the Kanpur wicket on the surface, but helped the Indian seamers, which was a positive sign for South Africa "as we depend a lot on the pace attack."

Smith, who defended his decision to bat first after winning the toss, said he was disappointed with his own dismissal without scoring a run.

"There is no excuse for that shot. I let the team down. But I will try to do my best in the second innings."

He, however, was impressed with debutant Hasim Amla, who made 24 before being castled by Irfan Pathan.

"I was very impressed by how calm he looked today. It was unfortunate that he got out in the 20s."

The skipper also hailed the efforts of Jacques Rudolph, who along with Kallis pulled the visitors out of the rut with a 109-run partnership for the third wicket.

"Rudoplh had a good start. He should have carried on for a big score like Kallis," Smith said.

About the lively crowd at Eden, Smith said "its good to see 40,000 people coming for a Test match."

Asked if he expected any result from the series-deciding match, Smith said "I believe in playing Tests to win."