South Africa have put in a strong performance to defeat Wales 24-15 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Leigh Halfpenny and Morne Steyne traded in an early battle of penalties, with the Welshman converting two for a 6-3 lead before Jean De Villiers went over to give the Springboks a 10-point lead.
The hosts received a blow in the 13th minute when Jonathan Davies had to be withdrawn from the action, with Ashley Beck coming on in his place.
Bismarck du Plessis had already made his presence felt in the game by creating the first try, and he scored one of his own to stretch the visitors' lead to 17-6 after 17 minutes.
Halfpenny continued to put the points on the board for Wales to reduce the deficit to 17-12 with just over 30 minutes on the clock.
A shove on Richard Hibbard saw Francois Louw sin binned, but the South Africans held onto their lead until half time.
Halfpenny made it five successful kicks from five attempts to claw his country within two points, but a try from Fourie du Preez halted the Welsh as they tried to mount a comeback.
Michael Penkman
