South Africa have produced a subdued performance to beat Italy 29-13 in the first match of their two-Test series.

The world and Tri-Nations rugby champions ran in four tries to Italy's one at the Puma Stadium in Witbank on Saturday but it was not the dominant performance that many expected.

Bryan Habana scored his 37th Test try when he burst onto a kick by fullback Zane Kirchner in a rare moment of excitement.

Flanker Francois Louw, No.10 Morne Steyn and Kirchner - with his first international try - also crossed for the home team.

Italy, which had trailed 29-3 after 50 minutes, closed the gap in a scrappy second half when scrumhalf Tito Tebaldi sent captain Sergio Parisse over with 17 minutes left.

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