South Australia mounted a gutsy comeback to be 7-303 after the first day of the Pura Cup game against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval.

The Redbacks collapsed from 0-61 to 6-92 and were struggling to make it to tea as unheralded Tasmanian pace bowler Brett Geeves (5-49) wreaked havoc.

But a rearguard action from Graham Manou (99no) and Ryan Harris (60), then paceman Jason Gillespie (48no) left the visitors in a healthy position.

Tigers skipper Ricky Ponting won the toss and the Redbacks' openers Matthew Elliott (55) and Shane Deitz (18) started well.

Geeves broke their 61-run opening partnership when Deitz holed out to Dan Marsh at first slip.

He continued with an inspired spell of bowling, trapping skipper Nathan Adcock LBW for four, Mark Cosgrove a duck, veteran Darren Lehmann for 10, and then Elliott.

Enter Manou and Harris.

After a patient knock including five fours, Harris was eventually caught by Marsh in the slips off Ben Hilfenhaus but his 112-run partnership with Manou was invaluable.

Former Test bowler Jason Gillespie joined Manou at the crease at 7-204, the pair adding a further 99 runs before stumps.

Geeves was overjoyed with his maiden five-wicket haul but was worried a badly swollen knee from a fielding mishap had "let down his team-mates".

"There was joy in the five wickets in that regard but with the bung knee I feel I have let down the team is some regards.

"Hopefully tomorrow, after icing and pain relief, it will come up okay," he said.

South Australia's change in fortune improved as the day progressed.

"The wicket flattened out and obviously if you can dig in for a while and get the bowlers bowling second and third spells, at times it does become a little bit easier as the ball gets a bit older.

"Having said that you still have to bust a gut and work hard, not only for the two out there, but also for the next guys coming in."

Geeves said the game was a reflection on how the wicket has played.

"It was a little tacky, and the balls that did beat the bat were slow, then it quickened up and now it's just a little bit flatter.

"The new ball didn't swing, there wasn't a lot of seam, so it was probably more the development of the wicket."

Manou said he was not nervous about being on 99.

"I would rather be 99 not out than have a zero next to my name," he said.

"It was pleasing to contribute something today, particularly given the situation we were in early, it really needed a few of us to guts it out."

Hilfenhaus, who is desperate to impress selectors before the Sri Lanka Test Match in Brisbane starting on November 8, bagged two wickets on a blustery and at times rainy day.

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