Two tries from 18-year-old George North on his International debut were not quite enough to give Wales victory as World Champions South Africa ran out winners at the Millennium Stadium.
North produced an impressive all-round display, marking his debut with a brace, the same way he did for the Scarlets just two months ago.
Gethin Jenkins and Dan Lydiate were both forced out of the squad before the game with injury and Jenkins’ absence denied Wales the opportunity to unleash their all-British Lions front-row who caused South Africa endless problems on last year’s tour.
Morne Steyn opened the scoring with a penalty after two minutes, but the first half was dominated by the home-side after his kick.
North then raised the Millennium Stadium roof as he crossed for his first try after just five minutes in International rugby.
Wales had shunned the opportunity for their own kick at goal in favour of going to the corner instead. The ball was spread to Stephen Jones at fly-half and he first drew the defence and then with a slight of hand sent North racing through to score to the delight of the home supporters before adding the conversion.
Early pressure belonged to Wales and the backline played with justified confidence. Lee Byrne returned to the International fold after recovering from a broken hand and it was the safety of the full-back under the high ball from which Wales launched their next attack.
The Ospreys star dealt with a high up and under with ease and fed North on the right wing who then powered his way twenty metres up-field, dragging defenders along with him.
Mike Phillips provided quick ball from the base and it spread wide to Shane Williams who darted through a hole in the South Africa defence. Williams drew the last defender and fed James Hook who had a clear run to the line to score Wales’ second try.
Jones added the extra two points as Wales raced into the lead.
The Welsh back-line looked threatening with every pass and were unlucky not to capitalise on their dominance but had to settle for a Jones penalty in reply to three points from opposite number Steyn.
South Africa bombarded the Welsh line as half time approached but found no way through and settled for a third Steyn penalty on the stroke of Steve Walsh’s interval whistle.
Half Time: Wales 17 v 9 South Africa
The Welsh crowd were in fine voice as the second-half got under way, boyed by an impressive first half display.
Jones opened the second half scoring after 43minutes with a penalty before Setyn replied two minutes later with his fourth successive kick of the afternoon.
With increased intensity after the break South Africa looked more threatening and after 50-minutes Willem Alberts touched down for his side’s first try.
A superb touch-line conversion from Steyn brought the scores to within a point.
With their tails up, South Africa then went onto score their second moment later
as Victor Matfield powered his way over. Steyn once again converted as the visitors took the lead for the first time since the fifth minute.
It was Jones and North who combined again as Wales replied with a try of their own just two minutes later. Wales attacked down the left flank and as the South Africa defence closed up, North signalled for a cross-field kick and Jones duly obliged.
The fly-half’s kicked bounced into the waiting arms of North who grabbed the ball with delight and dived over in the corner for his second try.
With ball in hand both sides looked dangerous but the last twenty minutes saw relentless attacks from Wales.
Wave after wave was thrown at the South Africa defence, but their line held firm and they hung on for victory.
