Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals made a losing start to their South African campaign when they lost by 27 runs against the Cape Cobras in an Indian Premier League warm-up match at Newlands on Saturday.

Both teams were well below strength, with the Royals fielding only four of the players who won the IPL last year and the Cobras missing most of the men who won the South African Twenty20 final earlier in the season.

"It's disappointing to lose but it was a great opportunity for some of the guys to show what they can do," said Warne.

"Everything we wanted to get out of this game we got although the batting was a bit disappointing."

Opening bowler Amit Singh bowled impressively to take three for 15 as the Cape Cobras made 142 for eight.

The home side were struggling at 34 for four and 65 for five but prospered through some hard hitting by lower order batsmen Richard Levi (36), Vernon Philander (26) and Rory Kleinveldt (23).

Kleinveldt took four for 34 when the Royals batted to clinch the man of the match award.

Royals' Australian opening batsman Bob Quiney made a hard-hit 34 off 22 balls but the rest of the batting crumbled. Warne's 21 was the second-highest score.