Xerox Ducati's Noriyuki Haga has taken victory in the first World Superbike race at Kyalami, crossing the line just in front of team-mate Michel Fabrizio with Yamaha's Ben Spies in third.
Ten Kate Honda's Jonathan Rea had his best result of the season so far in fourth, holding off a fast-charging Max Biaggi who tried to pass the young Irishman into the last corner but ran wide allowing Rea to come back across the line.
In a fairly drama-free outing, Haga, Spies and Fabrizio got away off the start and soon put a big gap on the chasing pack which also included Carlos Checa, Kawasaki stand-in Sheridan Morais and Leon Haslam.
With a lap gone, Fabrizio went past his team-mate for the lead as BMW's Ruben Xaus crashed out. The Italian was able to keep Haga at bay until 13 laps to go then the Samurai of Slide re-passed Fabrizio and held on to the lead until the chequered flag.
Spies, meanwhile, was looking for a place to get past the second Ducati and managed it going into the final corner with eight laps to go. But the Italian didn't allow Spies to get away, and they swapped paces again on lap 18 as Haga stretched out his lead.
A big moment which saw Spies thrown out of the seat of his Yamaha R1 finally allowed Fabrizio to consolidate his podium spot as Spies' lap-times increased and the Italian pulled away.
After an appalling start. Spies team-mate Tom Sykes clawed his way back to 10th, just behind the Sterilgarda Ducati of Shane Byrne while Haslam crashed out of the race with 10 laps to go while sitting in eighth.
Tommy Hill faded to 19th while local man Morais, who is standing in for the injured Makoto Tamada, ended his WSB debut outing in 13th.
