Cricket: Rain wipes out morning session

South Africa's Hashim Amla plays a shot during the first day of the first cricket test match between Australia and South Africa. Photo / AP

Persistent rain completely wiped out the morning session on day two of the first Test between Australia and South Africa at the Gabba on Saturday.

Play was not at all possible due to continued showers, including heavy rain at times, but the conditions lifted slightly before lunch to give hope of some action in the middle session.

South Africa will resume in the box seat at 2-255 with both Hashim Amla (90 not out) and Jacques Kallis (84 not out) eying centuries.

The pair put together an unbroken 136-run stand in three hours on Friday as Australia's bowling attack struggled on the uncharacteristically soft and slow Brisbane wicket.

The Proteas day-one dominance was tarnished by the loss of middle-order batsman JP Duminy for the three-Test series after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in a post-stumps training mishap.

South Africa coach Gary Kirsten confirmed they would call for a replacement to join the tour party but selectors had yet to decide on the reinforcement.

Duminy underwent surgery on Saturday morning and Kirsten explained the injury was a "very unfortunate'' accident.

"He just ran for some training runs which is a standard thing we do with the team and it was literally as benign as making a turn on a run and he snapped his Achilles,'' Kirsten told ABC Radio.

"He will be out for about six months. It's been tough for him and the team, but we've just got to step up now.''