Rajasthan Royals [Images] got off to a losing start in South Africa [Images], beaten by 27 runs by Cape Cobras in an Indian Premier League [Images] warm-up match at Newlands on Saturday.

Both teams were well below strength, Royals fielding only four players who were part of the winning IPL team last year, while Cobras without most of the men who won the South African Twenty20 [Images] final earlier in the season.

"It's disappointing to lose but it was a great opportunity for some of the guys to show what they can do," said captain Shane Warne [Images].

"Everything we wanted to get out of this game we got although the batting was a bit disappointing."

Opening bowler Amit Singh bowled impressively to take three for 15 as the Cape Cobras made 142 for eight.

The home side was struggling at 34 for four and 65 for five but prospered through some hard hitting by lower order batsmen Richard Levi (36), Vernon Philander (26) and Rory Kleinveldt (23).

Kleinveldt took four for 34 when the Royals batted to clinch the man of the match award.

Royals' Australian opening batsman Bob Quiney scored a quick 34 off 22 balls but the rest of the batting crumbled.

Warne's 21 was the second-highest score.