South Africa collapsed to 164 all out to lose their opening tour match against Western Australia by an innings and 48 runs on the third and final day at the WACA in Perth on Wednesday.

South African captain Graeme Smith [Images], who missed the match with injury, was disappointed by his team's dismal showing but confident they would improve before the Test series with Australia.

"Obviously it's a little bit disappointing we didn't perform well in this game, but we kind of expected it," Smith said.

"Coming straight from India, we didn't expect to be at a level where we thought we could compete.

"Obviously we've played even below that, but I don't think it's a concern."

The South Africans started the day on 25-2 in their second innings, needing to make at least 187 for the home team to bat again after being ordered to follow-on, but were all out before tea.

Ashwell Prince top-scored with a patient 49 off 106 balls. Shaun Pollock [Images] made 25 and Nicky Boje 25 not out but none of the other players made it to 20.

Left-arm spinner Beau Casson polished off the tail to take 4-67 and finish the match with eight wickets while the pace duo of Steve Magoffin (3-37) and Ben Edmondson (2-41) captured the remaining wickets. Tailender Charl Langeveldt was unable to bat because of a chest infection.

"South Africa have just got here from India, they haven't played any first class cricket for a long time, so I'm sure they won't be too upset with it," Western Australian captain and Test opener Justin Langer said.

"But from our point of view, it's nice to have a win against them early in the tour."

The South Africans are due to play a one-day match against an invitational side on Friday and another three-day game against Western Australia next week before the first of their three Tests against Australia starts at the WACA on December 16.

Brief scores:

Western Australia first innings: 391-8 dec (A Voges 101, D Bandy 64, C Langeveldt 4-104)

South Africa first innings: 179 all out (J Rudolph 43, B Casson 4-21, W Gillies 3-41)

South Africa second innings: 164 all out (A Prince 49, B Casson 4-67, S Magoffin 3-37)