Two men have made it all the way from the Victorian border to Tailem Bend before being stopped by police overnight.

Their cars allegedly failed to stop for police manning a border crossing on the Dukes Highway, intended to keep the COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria from spreading into South Australia, at 1.30am on Friday.

Police followed the silver Holden Captiva and blue Holden Calais for a while, then called in a helicopter to continue the pursuit.

The two station wagons were briefly spotted at a service station at Keith, where they again allegedly failed to stop, then later showed up outside Tailem Bend.

Police again activated their lights and went after them.

They were only stopped in the middle of town, near the hospital, after officers used road spikes to blow out their tyres.

The men, a 25-year-old from Osborn and 26-year-old from Brooklyn Park, were each arrested and charged with failing to comply with COVID directions, failing to stop and driving without a licence.

They will face Adelaide Magistrates Court today after spending the rest of the night in the city watch house.

Under current restrictions, anyone entering South Australia must fill out a pre-approval form at least 72 hours ahead of time.

Extra restrictions apply for travellers coming from Victoria: only South Australian residents and essential travellers are allowed to come across.

Residents returning home to SA must also self-isolate for 14 days after arriving.

• More information: www.covid-19.sa.gov.au.

Photos: SA Police.