Coach Jim Telfer will be breathing a huge sigh of relief after crucial playmaker Gregor Townsend made it safely through Scotland's final warm-up match before the World Cup.

The unorthodox British Lions fly-half appears to have fully recovered from a knee injury that required minor surgery last week and he appeared sharp - scoring two superb tries.

Another welcome returnee was John Leslie, who has been playing for the Sanix club in Japan. Neither player has represented the national side since Scotland's last Five Nations match, against France in Paris.

Telfer said: "We're lucky having John Leslie and Gregor Townsend being fit for the South Africa match....I still think that we've got quite a lot to do before we can confidently take on the South Africans."

Outside centre Jamie Mayer also impressed as a replacement for the injured Alan Tait, with two confident tries. Mayer will play if Tait fails to recover from damage to his ankle sustained in training last Tuesday.

But the number of midfield worries will not have helped the Five Nations' champions' preparation, especially in view of the fact that it is one of Scotland's most potent areas.

Meanwhile, injury fears over back row Gordon Simpson have been allayed. The New Zealand-born player left the pitch on Tuesday after hurting his leg and was later seen on crutches.