Bryan Habana equalled South Africa's try-scoring record as the Springboks swamped Italy 55-11 in the second Test at Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday.

The flying winger scored the fifth of South Africa's seven tries to take his tally to 38 in 60 Tests.

The mark was set by scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen in 89 internationals.

Habana did not get a chance to claim the record, substituted immediately after his try as the Springboks made numerous changes with the result assured.

It was South Africa's final match before they start the defence of the Tri-Nations championship against New Zealand on July 10 in Auckland.

This was a much improved performance by the Springboks following a scrappy 29-13 first Test win in Witbank last weekend.

"It was much more clinical," said Springbok captain John Smit after the side's 50th win under his captaincy.

"We needed to polish up considering what's coming up. We eliminated the errors from last week and the guys stuck to their guns. We've still got lots to work on but it's a step in the right direction."

Italian coach Nick Mallett praised the Springboks but said that playing two Tests in successive weeks against opposition as strong as South Africa was not good for his team.

"I'm glad this is the last time we tour the southern hemisphere in June (at the end of the northern hemisphere season)," said Mallett.

"My request last year already was to play against sides like the United States and Canada, sides we can hopefully be more competitive against, because you don't really learn anything when you play against sides like this, when losing 29-13 is a good performance," said Mallett.

Italian captain Sergio Parisse disagreed: "It is not easy for us to play against the best side in the world but it is the only way for us to improve," he said.

The Europeans were pinned in their own territory for most of the opening 40 minutes as South Africa built a 27-6 halftime lead.

Springbok fly-half Morne Steyn and Italian wing Mirco Bergamasco swapped penalty goals in the first nine minutes before Steyn dummied his way over for the opening try.

A break by centre Gonzalo Canale enabled Italy to mount a rare attack, which ended with another Bergamasco penalty before South Africa took control.

Steyn scored a second try on the half hour after a break by Habana and Pierre Spies went over two minutes before halftime.

Italy started the second half promisingly but that spurred South Africa into action and they scored three tries in the space of nine minutes to make the game safe.

It was the 50th Test win for South Africa under the captaincy of John Smit.

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