Nick Compton and James Taylor made contrasting half-centuries as England recovered from a shaky start to make good progress on day one of the first Test against South Africa in Durban.
Dale Stey led a Proteas attack unleashed by captain Hashim Amla in bowler-friendly conditions after the hosts won the toss, and it looked a good decision as England were reduced to 49 for three.
Compton, playing a Test for the first time since May 2013, dug in for long periods but also dispatched the rare bad ball as he finished the day unbeaten on 63, with the tourists having reached 179 for four.
Taylor was typically busy at the crease, and produced a range of shots all round the wicket before becoming Steyn's third victim late in the day for a well-made 70.
Put in under cloudy skies at Kingsmead, Alastair Cook was removed for a duck by Steyn - returning to action from a groin injury - by one which climbed sharply, caught the outside edge, and flew to Dean Elgar at second slip.
Only six overs were completed in a morning session curtailed by rain, and Steyn had debutant Alex Hales caught behind for 10 in the first over after the break.
Nick Compton cuts on his way to an unbeaten 63 on day one of the first Test in Durban
Joe Root looked in good touch for 24, but fell lbw to spinner Dane Piedt's first ball despite reviewing the decision.
Compton played and missed at a couple of sharp deliveries from Steyn and Morkel, but just as he was beginning to find some rhythm was almost dismissed in bizarre circumstances.
A defensive prod rolled straight to short-leg Temba Bavuma, who reacted quickly to throw down the stumps with the Middlesex man only just back in his ground.
A sweetly-struck cover drive off Steyn and a crunching cut off Abbott highlighted Compton's growing confidence, while Taylor reached his half-century shortly after thumping Piedt to the cover fence.
Compton soon followed in reaching fifty, but having added 125 for the fourth wicket, Taylor was squared up by the returning Steyn late in the day and edged through to wicketkeeper AB de Villiers.
Ben Stokes thumped Piedt away for four of his five runs before bad light brought an early finish, with Steyn ending the day with figures of 3-29.