Makazole Mapimpi scored a hat-trick as South Africa beat Japan 41-7 in their final World Cup warm-up match.

Japan beat the Springboks in a major World Cup upset four years ago but Cheslin Kolbe's early try settled the visitors in Kumagaya.

Winger Mapimpi added two more scores as the visitors led 22-0 at the interval.

He claimed his third on 52 minutes before tries from Kolbe and Herschel Jantjies, while Kotaro Matsushima scored a consolation.

The Springboks, led by influential captain Siya Kolisi, completed their preparations just north of Tokyo in impressive style.

The two-time winners begin their World Cup campaign against defending champions New Zealand in Pool B on Saturday 21 September, after Japan open the tournament against Russia the night before.