South Africa scored two tries in the first eight minutes to set up a convincing 42-17 win over France in a one-off rugby union Test at Newlands on Saturday.

It was South Africa's first win over France in four matches spanning five years.

Not even the loss of captain John Smit with a hamstring injury at half-time could stop the world champions clinching a comprehensive victory over the European champions.

After a blistering start, South Africa proved superior in all departments against a side who never hit top gear and struggled to adapt to the new breakdown laws.

France were rocked after just 90 seconds when Springbok eighthman Pierre Spies scored under the posts. Right wing Gio Aplon notched the second try and South Africa led 20-0 after 24 minutes as Morne Steyn added two penalties.

South Africa, also reigning Tri-Nations champions, made a perfect start when the French spun the ball to the right in the first attack of the game.

Springbok left wing Bryan Habana picked up a loose pass in his own half and made ground before passing to centre Jaque Fourie, who charged upfield and passed inside to Spies, who went over untouched.

The second try came after a drive from a line-out won by Spies. When the ball was released to the backs, Aplon cut in from the blindside wing, burst through an attempted tackle by French centre Maxime Mermoz and scored his first Test try.

There was almost a third try after 10 minutes when fullback Zane Kirchner collected a chip kick from scrum-half Ricky Januarie and sprinted for the line, only to be pulled down a metre short by French wing Vincent Clerc.

But the French were penalised for not releasing the tackled player and Steyn, who had converted both tries, notched a penalty.

It was the first time France had played under the new breakdown laws and the pre-match misgivings of captain Thierry Dusautoir were realised as his side conceded a string of penalties, either giving Steyn the chance to kick for goal or to set up line-outs dominated by Victor Matfield and Danie Rossouw.

France were forced to play catch-up rugby, spreading the ball wide when securing possession and it paid off when right wing Aurelien Rougerie scored in the corner on 29 minutes.

But just three minutes later prop Gurthro Steenkamp found himself near the left touchline and he collected a long pass from Steyn to score South Africa's third try.

In their anxiety to reduce the deficit, France opted for tap penalties instead of kicks at goal and this tactic cost them a fourth try nine minutes after half-time when a passing move went wrong and Aplon picked up a loose ball inside his own 22 and ran 80 metres accompanied by a deafening roar from a 46,885 home-town crowd.

With a comfortable lead, South Africa brought on their full bench of replacements and with France also ringing the changes the game became loose towards the end, with both sides adding a converted try.

Flanker Francois Louw went over for the Boks with Ruan Pienaar converting and Marc Andreu dotted down at the other end with fellow replacement David Skrela adding the extra points.

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