Chris Paterson kicked the home side into an early lead but the Springboks replied with three first-half tries from Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie and Fourie du Preez to effectively end the game as a contest.

Frank Haddens side desperately tried to find a way back into the match but struggled to make any holes in the Springboks watertight defence.

Only the talented Rory Lamont offered a genuine threat to the visitors while the forwards  impressive in recent games - were brought down to earth by the southern hemisphere giants.

In contrast, Englands World Cup pool opponents, despite missing captain John Smit who has a hamstring injury, demonstrated why they are second favourites for next months tournament.

Their gameplan was limited, relying on their famously powerful pack, but they also displayed a clinical efficiency when presented with an opening. The terrific Habana was a threat every time he touched the ball.

Yet it was the home side - with Dave Callam and Kelly Brown drafted into the back row  who got into their stride quickest.

Scotland were rewarded for their enthusiastic start when Paterson kicked them in front with a straightforward 10th-minute penalty, awarded when the Springboks were penalised for killing the ball in a ruck.

It did not take Jake Whites side long to level the scores, though, as Percy Montgomery slotted over an equally-simple penalty three minutes later.

Whites men then took the lead in the 22nd-minute when Habana was fed off the back of a scrum by Danie Roussouw and the Bulls winger scorched through a gaping hole in the Scottish defence to score his 22nd try in 28 Tests. Montgomery added the conversion to make it 10-3.

The lead was increased soon after when Fourie touched down in the 25th minute following a line break by Steyn, fit again after a back injury. Montgomery converted to make it 17-3.

The Springboks were now rampant, claiming their third try three minutes later when scrum-half Du Preez fed Montgomery for a charge at the line and, when the full-back was stopped short, picking up and driving over from five yards out.  

The only score in a second half broken up by numerous substitutions came from Montgomerys boot as Scotland were still unable to get past South Africas defence.