Markram who scored a century before being bowled out by Alzarri Joseph on 115 had the new Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad to thank for including him in the Proteas squad for the two-match series against the West Indies.

Conrad who called Markram back into the team had initially mentioned that Markram would return to open the batting instead of floating around in the middle order before he lost his place in the squad for the Australian tour last year.

Markram obliged and repaid Conrad's faith in him by scoring 115 from 174 balls in his comeback test to also share a 141-run opening stand with former captain Dean Elgar who scored 71 runs that set up the Proteas’ 314/8 at stumps.

The 28 year old right handed batsman who didn't make it for the Australia Test series mentioned that it was good for him to get the century in his comeback because it felt like he was starting on a clean slate.

"I am grateful for the opportunity that coach Conrad has given me, we obviously come a long way together and we really have a good relationship and understanding between the two of us, it is always good when a coach backs you like that, it gives you that extra bit of confidence," Markram said.

Even though the Proteas started really well and going all the way to 221/1 after 56.3 overs, the West Indies managed to come back into the match through an incredible fight back that was led by Joseph who picked up 3 wickets for 60 runs dismissing captain Temba Bavuma in the process.

Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Kyle Mayers also got in on the act as the middle order of the Proteas tumbled faster than a formula 1 race.

With two wickets remaining for West Indies to wrap up the tail order, the Proteas will start Day 2 with Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee at the crease.