"Can I pay for them straight from my own savings account ....Or, do I need to transfer the monies into my SMSF bank account and make the payment from that account"
In the end it comes down to what is easiest to keep records for. The first is a pain to explain at end of year, the second is dead simple.
I have so far chosen the second suggestion. All my accounts are linked online with ANZ. Drop the cash from your personal account into the SMSF account & then BPAY the cap/raing from your SMSF account .... Neat & clean, and very little explanation needed at end of year, just a not to Esuper stating the amount as an un-deducted super contribution.
