TRANSVAAL made a horror start to the Super 12 tournament yesterday losing 32-11 to New South Wales in Sydney and losing three players with major injury worries.

Transvaal, studded with members of South Africa's victorious World Cup side, saw Matthew Burke dominate the opening match in the southern hemisphere provincial championship with 22 points including two tries.

Transvaal and South African national coach Kitch Christie said second row Kobus Wiese, centre Christiaan Scholtz and number eight Rudolph Straeuli had suffered injuries which would force them out of Transvaal's remaining Super 12 tour games against Australian Capital Territory, Otago and Wellington.

Wiese tore ligaments in his knee, Straeuli damaged a calf muscle and Scholtz injured his shoulder scoring Transvaal's only try midway through the second half.

But Christie admitted his side, had been given a "rugby lesson" by New South Wales. "It is a reminder to them just how tough the Super 12 is going to be."

New South Wales coach Chris Hawkins said his team had plenty of improvement to make as they embark on a two match tour of South Africa this week to play their Super 12 matches against Western Province and Northern Transvaal.

"We can get 30 per cent better," Hawkins said. "Tonight, I thought we played exceptionally well but they chose a few wrong options."