Spain collected their record-breaking 15th consecutive win tonight as they saw off hosts South Africa in the Confederations Cup.

Goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente took Spain past Brazil, Australia, and France, while also moving them level with Brazil's record of 35 games unbeaten.

For South Africa, there was the consolation of a semi-final place, despite a nervous second half, as the other Group A game between Iraq and New Zealand finished goalless.

It looked like being a long night for South Africa as the game got under way with Spain dominating possession in the early stages.

Albert Riera tried his luck with a long-range free-kick which Itumeleng Khune punched wide for a corner as it headed goalwards.

But having barely had a touch in the opening five minutes, South Africa came back into the game before the quarter-hour mark, albeit without troubling Jose Reina in the Spanish goal.

Spain looked the more dangerous, but took until after the half-hour mark to create a clear chance, with Fernando Torres' shot well saved by Khune before Matthew Booth cleared the danger.

South Africa were sorely lacking composure at the other end, with Bernard Parker and Tsholofelo Modise both scuffing efforts from good positions.

The game changed five minutes after the break when Aaron Moekena, beaten for pace by Fabregas, launched into a reckless dive to bring the Arsenal man down and concede a penalty.

Khune made a good save to deny Villa to his left, and was then alert to hold Torres' follow-up.

But South Africa had barely stopped celebrating the save when Riera dinked in a cross and Villa - with a hint of handball - brought it down before placing a fine shot inside the right-hand post.

South Africa threatened to lose their heads as their frustration came through in a rash of clumsy challenges, but they eventually got themselves back together.

Siboniso Gaxa's 67th minute cross found Parker but the angle was against him.

South Africa's hopes of getting anything out of the game were then ended in the 72nd minute as Xavi's low ball found substitute Llorente for the finish.

Spain continued to threaten a third which would have left the Bafana Bafana walking a real tightrope, but the goal never came, and nor did dreaded news of an Iraq goal against New Zealand.