"The main aim of the Cricket World Cup is to showcase St Kitts to the world," the nation's prime minister, Denzil Douglas, declared yesterday. "We want the visitors to go home and tell everyone about us."

There were tricks aplenty to get the Scots who have journeyed here firmly on side. Sunshine; a perfectly quaffable local brew named Carib; and getting the DJ at Warner Park to blast out The Proclaimers over the tannoy - enough to implore the massive ranks of the Tartan Barmy Army to pump out their lungs and let fly in alto voce.

Not that they had needed much prompting. "D'ye remember Pakistan?" was how one wag goaded Andrew Hall when he ventured within earshot of the boundary. The South Africa bowler grinned broadly.

Ultimately, he had much to savour from his own performance, figures of 3-48, which helped propel the Proteas to a comfortable seven-wicket victory which neatly tees up Saturday's Group A showdown with Australia.

Having been overwhelmed by the Australians, the Saltires regained some pride on their second outing even if, once again, there were moments in which their followers were infuriated and frustrated.

Ryan Watson, leading by example as the stand-in captain, batted beautifully until he was needlessly run out. There were strokes which implored the favourites to grasp catches and bowling which lacked the precise control needed to trouble leviathans of Graeme Smith's and A B de Villers' stature.

It did, however, take an entertaining flurry at the end of Scotland's innings to ensure respectability was grasped. Watson's departure left his side on 84-5 but Dougie Brown, who ended with an unbeaten 45, led an astonishing late charge which saw 55 runs off the final 30 balls. It stood at 186-8 after 50 overs, the Saltires' highest World Cup tally, but one which the South Africans breezed to within just 23 overs, largely thanks to Smith's exquisite 91.

"We improved a lot score-wise from the Australia game, and making 186 against a Test nation is no mean feat," said Watson, whose side, officially, can no longer qualify for the Super Eight stages. "But I'm disappointed in how we bowled up front. With runs on the board, we had the chance to put some pressure on them and we didn't manage it."

Smith won the toss and, defying the convention of the past week, opted to put the Saltires in to bat. They never truly mastered Hall, Charl Langeveldt nor Shaun Pollock, their pace at times baffling opponents who simply do not enjoy, if that is the appropriate verb, regular enough exposure to such fearsome deliveries.

Majid Haq was first to be deceived, caught behind off Hall, while Fraser Watts edged a searing Langeveldt despatch to Smith at slip. It was a disappointing departure. So much has been spoken within the Saltires camp about their openers providing a platform and although the duo held on, they could, and should, have upped the ante.

Gavin Hamilton was equally profligate. With Watson at his potent best, he needed to provide support but instead hooked, off balance, to deVillers, at cover while on four. Someone of his experience should have known better. Neil McCallum, inserted for the unfortunate Navdeep Poonia, made just a single off 22 balls and when Watson was caught short when diving for the crease, the Scots were reeling at 84-5 in the 30th over.

Still, though, the Caledonian cheerleaders made their voices heard. An entire line, sitting on the banks, sported their C-U-Jimmy bunnets, albeit on top of their sombreros. Not to be outdone, an adjoining row of South Africans had carved their own exclusive range of headgear out of water melons. See you at Ascot next year, lads.

They all had to tip their hats to Brown. Colin Smith's removal, by Pollock, on 15, brought in their tail and in tandem with the veteran, they produced a last-five-over spurt which was a delight. If only it had begun sooner and the psychologically precious 200 may have been attained.

The 46th over produced 14 runs and 13 came off the next before John Blain fell to Hall on 23.

In came Paul Hoffman to pinch 18 off 11 balls before he was run out at the very end. Cue a giant Afro-Scot conga.

When play resumed, it was Scotland bowlers who fell into line. De Villers smashed nine 4s and two maximums as he reached 62 off just 45 balls before Glenn Rogers tempted the opener into one audacious shot too many which jetted to Brown.

A passing shower postponed the inevitable but Smith's momentum was unbroken, even when Ashwell Prince was caught by McCallum on 21. When he eventually departed on 91, caught by McCallum off Haq at cover, only nine more runs were required.

It only took two, with Kemp launching for 4, then 6, to end the cull.