Whitney created history on Monday, becoming the first Queenslander in 38 years to claim a five-wicket haul on debut with his 5-60.
And after the visitors were all out for 314 early on day two in Brisbane, Whitney produced a late cameo with the bat to help the Bulls to 308 in reply.
South Australia then lost first-innings century maker Henry Hunt caught behind first ball of their second innings to Michael Neser, going to stumps at 1-0.
But it was a day for Whitney, as Queensland also benefitted from Jimmy Peirson's counter-punching 94 with the bat at Allan Border Oval.
Arriving at the crease at 9-271 late in the day, Whitney blasted five boundaries on his way to an unbeaten 24 from 11 balls to help Queensland reach close to parity.
Ben McDermott helped Queensland's fightback against SA, scoring a neat half century. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)
After taking three wickets on Sunday, Whitney had both Nathan McAndrew and Wes Agar caught early on Monday morning.
The wickets made the 21-year-old just the 12th Queenslander in history to take a five-wicket haul on debut, and the first since former police officer Mick Polzin in 1986-87.
Neser also finished with 3-61, getting the key wicket of Hunt on 136 as the opener fell just short of carrying his bat.
In reply, Queensland's big names struggled.
Test opener Usman Khawaja was lbw to McAndrew (3-55) for a duck, as Queensland fell to 3-16 early with the ball swinging around.
Nathan McAndrew picked up the prize wicket of Test opener Usman Khawaja. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)
Matt Renshaw was also lbw to Jordan Buckingham (3-97) for two, denting his slim chances of joining Khawaja at the top of the order for the first Test in Perth.
Marnus Labuschagne also failed to make any real impact, caught at forward square-leg flicking a ball off his toes.
But from 5-80, Queensland were able to launch something of a counteract.
Ben McDermott hit 52, while Neser (37) and Peirson combined for a 97-run seventh-wicket partnership.
Still Peirson pushed through, hitting 14 boundaries in his knock and driving with ease whenever South Australia's quicks went too full.
The wicketkeeper-bat looked set for his century, before he hesitated in coming back for a second with Mitchell Swepson (31) and being run out by Jake Lehmann.
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