Oscar Tabarez fielded a strong side, with Diego Forlan the only notable name missing from the South Africa line-up, but Uruguay fell a goal behind in the 18th minute when Boaz Solossa opened the scoring for the hosts.

La Celeste responded well, however, and got back on level terms 10 minutes before the break when Napoli forward Cavani headed home the equaliser and then Ajax striker Suarez's brilliant strike put the visitors ahead seven minutes later.

It was one-way traffic after the interval as the South Americans' class told.

Suarez finished off a fine move to make it 3-1 and then substitute Sebastian Eguren got in on the act to further extend their advantage before the hour.

Suarez completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot midway through the second half and there was still time for Cavani to also bag his treble with two goals in the last 10 minutes.

Elsewhere, China edged 10-man Syria 2-1 in Kunming.

Zhao Peng put the Chinese ahead six minutes before the break and Zhang Linpeng doubled their advantage from the penalty six minutes into the second half after Aatef Jenyat had been sent off.

Abdelrazaq Al Hussain pulled one back for the visitors just after the hour but they could not force an equaliser.

mfl