The Barcelona striker took his tally for his country to 30 after Brazil, who changed their strip at halftime from their traditional yellow and white colours to an all-blue kit, took the lead through Oscar after 10 minutes at Soccer City.
Fernandinho made a strong case for World Cup selection on his return to the side with a stunning long-range shot in the 79th minute as the 2014 hosts emphatically dealt with lightweight opponents.
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On form: Neymar scored three as Brazil beat South Africa 5-0 at the Soccer City Stadium
Match facts
SOUTH AFRICA:
Williams, Ngongca, Khumalo (Xulu 20), Nthethe, Matlaba, Furman, Jali
(Zungu 55), Serero, Claasen (Ndlovu 52), Parker (Patosi 62), Rantie
(Manyisa 45)
Subs not used: Tshabalala, Kekana, Meyiwa, Mkhwanazi, Mokeke, Mbatha
BRAZIL: Cesar, Rafinha, Luiz (Dante 64), Silva, Marcelo (Alves 58), Fernandinho, Paulinho (Gustavo 45), Oscar (Willian 45), Hulk (Ramires 45), Neymar, Fred (Jo 62)
Subs not used: Jefferson, Bernard
Goals: Neymar 41 46 90, Oscar 10, Fernandinho 79
Subs not used: Tshabalala, Kekana, Meyiwa, Mkhwanazi, Mokeke, Mbatha
BRAZIL: Cesar, Rafinha, Luiz (Dante 64), Silva, Marcelo (Alves 58), Fernandinho, Paulinho (Gustavo 45), Oscar (Willian 45), Hulk (Ramires 45), Neymar, Fred (Jo 62)
Subs not used: Jefferson, Bernard
Goals: Neymar 41 46 90, Oscar 10, Fernandinho 79
Neymar attempted the same 19 minutes later as he got goal side of the home defence but his chip was touched away for a corner by the keeper.
There was little Williams could do in the 41st minute, however, when Neymar profited from poor marking at the end of a simple move that started with Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
His kick out was chested down by Fred, who let the ball run to Hulk, whose forward stab allowed Neymar to run wide of the defence and score with an angled shot from the left.
Flick: Neymar puts the ball past South Africa goalkeeper Ronwan Williams (left) for the first of his three goals
Change of kit: Neymar celebrates his first-half goal before Brazil changed to their away kit for the second half
New arrival? Oscar (centre) celebrates opening the scoring for Brazil as he puts the ball under his jersey
Huddle: Fernandinho is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring a stunning goal to make it 4-0
Just seconds later it could have been four but substitute Willian was just wide with his effort. Williams made a brave stop to deny Dani Alves in the last 15 minutes.
But the goalkeeper knew nothing about Fernandinho's rasping effort from well outside the box as the midfielder picked up on loose clearance to score.
On the ball: Brazil midfielder Paulinho (left) controls the ball as Dean Furman looks to make a challenge
Touch: Neymar (right) is put under pressure by South Africa's Andile Jali in the first half
Hurdle to overcome: South Africa's Thabo Matlaba (centre) jumps over Rafinha (right) and Fernandinho
Neymar completed his hat-trick on the stroke of full time with a close-range finish after Jo had played him in with a headed pass from Dani Alves's pass.
Brazil's only moment of defensive anguish came when Julio Cesar made a one-handed save to deny substitute Ayanda Patosi a goal with his first touch after coming on in the 63rd minute.
The five-goal loss was the heaviest suffered at home by South Africa, who hosted the last World Cup in 2010.
Close quarters: South Africa defender Matlaba (right) vies for the ball with Brazil midfielder Willian
Going down: South Africa's Jali (left) falls to the pitch after being tackled by Paulinho
Team orders: Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari gestures as he shouts instructions to his team
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