But they were given a scare by countryman Justin Kemp at New Road.

Graeme Smith's side looked to be cruising to victory after taking four quick wickets in defence of a total of 261 for four from 50 overs.

But Kemp, who played the last of his three Tests for South Africa in April 2001, hammered 77 off only 87 balls with four sixes and six fours.

Spinner Nicky Boje came in for particularly heavy punishment as he conceded 23 runs in an over including three sixes by Kemp.

His partnership with David Leatherdale was worth 97 in 17 overs to take Worcestershire to 163 for four and it needed the introduction of Shaun Pollock to check the mayhem.

He trapped Kemp lbw in his first over and Worcestershire's last hopes of a shock win ended when David Leatherdale fell to Jacques Kallis for 38. Alan Dawson quickly swept away the lower order with the last four wickets as Worcestershire were dismissed for 192 in the 45th over.

South Africa had also encountered some difficulties but half centuries from skipper Graeme Smith and Kallis plus late aggression from Jacques Rudolph enabled them to reach an imposing looking 261 for four.

Smith had needed treatment after being rapped on the hand by an early lifter from Kabir but he showed no signs of discomfort after resuming. His opening stand with Herschelle Gibbs was worth 52 in 10 overs before the latter on 27 sliced a delivery from Nantie Hayward to Stephen Peters at third man.

The main thrust of the innings was then provided by a 99-run partnership in 23 overs between Smith and Kallis.

Smith reached his 50 off 65 balls and had moved onto 65 with seven fours when he drove loosely at off spinner Shaftab Khalid and perished at mid-on.

Then reserve wicket-keeper Steve Adshead pulled off a superb catch to dismiss Kallis - after making 66 from 103 balls with four boundaries - to provide Kabir Ali with his first wicket.

That tally was doubled when Kabir dismissed Mark Boucher (20) but Rudolph's unbeaten 48 off 58 balls ensured Worcestershire were left a daunting target.

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