However, its next ANZ Championship assignment is the Magic in Tauranga on Saturday and it will have to lift its game to be competitive, Steel coach Robyn Broughton says.
The Steel never trailed the Pulse and took a three-goal lead into the first break, which it stretched to five by half-time.
A five-goal unanswered spurt in the crucial third quarter put the result beyond doubt, but the visitors never gave up and scored a late flurry of goals to prune the margin from 14 to nine.
"I was very pleased," Broughton said.
"I thought it was a good, positive way to start the competition."
Steel goal shoot Daneka Wipiiti had a fine game, landing 37 of her 42 attempts.
She also rebounded well and formed a good combination in the shooting circle with Donna Wilkins.
Wilkins has made a rapid recovery from a broken wrist and played the entire 60min.
The former Silver Fern took last season off to start a family and laboured with the pace of the games at times, but her court craft and shooting skills remain sharp.
"It was a hard physical game for her and she got through it really well," Broughton said.
Adine Wilson, also returning to the court after a year off to begin a family, was "outstanding", Broughton said.
"Some of the work she got through was pretty outstanding. I thought one of the passes was heading into the crowd but she got it."
The break has done little to blunt Wilson's fitness or superb aerial skills.
The 29-year-old was excellent in the air, hauling in passes with her trademark athleticism.
While Broughton was pleased with the opening performance, she highlighted the Steel's inability to capitalise on turnovers as an area it would need to work on before the Magic game.
"We need to tidy up that and be more clinical scoring off the turnovers. That was probably the only area we let ourselves down in."
Erika Burgess had a steady game at wing defence.
Broughton is spoiled for choices at the back and opted to play Sheryl Scanlan at goal defence for the first half then bring on Katrina Grant.
Goal keep Megan Hutton was carrying a slight ankle niggle and was replaced by Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit in the last quarter.
The former shooter made an impact, snaffling several intercepts.
Wendy Telfer also had a run in the final stretch, replacing the hard-working Liana Barrett-Chase.
For the Pulse, Millie Lees made some good touches in the midcourt.
The Otago national championship team member is a tireless worker but was out-pointed by Barrett-Chase.
Cushla Lichtwark stuck close to Wilkins, and Silver Ferns shooter Paula Griffin coped well with the Steel's much-vaunted defence, slotting 30 of her 39 attempts.
Jamaican defender Althea Byfield struggled to contain Wipiiti.
The Pulse was winless last year but showed signs it would be more competitive this season.
"They're certainly not to be underestimated. They've got some pretty honest players . . . but they do have to stand up now and get on with it," Broughton said.
In the other Saturday game, the Melbourne Vixens beat the West Coast Fever 57-44.
Adelaide and Queensland were playing last night, and tonight's games are Mystics-Magic and Swifts-Tactix.
Southern Steel 55 (Daneka Wipiiti 37 from 42, Donna Wilkins 18/24),
Central Pulse 46 (Paula Griffin 30/39, Jamilah Gupwell 16/20).
Quarter 13-10,
half-time 27-22,
third quarter 41-33.
