Canberra: World champions South Africa Saturday edged Wales 34-31 with an under-strength side at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Wales, who took the field with high hopes of recording only a second win over the Springboks in 104 years, opted to kick a penalty into touch in the final minutes rather than take the three points which would have given them the draw.
They won the lineout but South Africa, who rested several first choice players involved in last weekend's Super 14 final between the Bulls and the Stormers, cleared the ball upfield.
Wales had raced to a 16-3 lead after an intercept try and drop goal to centre James Hook, who had delayed surgery on an injured shoulder in order to take part.
South Africa fought back to reduce the deficit to 16-14 at halftime with a well-worked try from wing Odwa Ndungane and scored another through flanker shortly Dewald Potgieter after the interval. Centre Juan de Jongh increased the margin with another try against the run of play. Wales were rewarded for consistent pressure on the South Africa line with a first international try for 18-year-old wing Tom Prydie and replacement forward Alun Wyn Jones scored another to set up a thrilling finale.
In Canberra, flyhalf Quade Cooper created four tries with his clever passing and scored one himself as a rusty Australian side beat Fiji 49-3 in their rugby Test.
Standout
Cooper, who was a stand-out performer for the Queensland Reds in the Super 14, was provided plenty of ball by his forwards to attack the Fijian defensive line and use his sleight of hand and deft passing to put his outside backs into space.
The Wallabies dominated possession and territory, but stubborn Fijian defence, moist ground conditions that made the ball slippery and a lack of combinations contributed to the rusty performance by the home side.
Australia coach Robbie Deans, however, faces some injury concerns after utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper went off with an ankle injury following a heavy tackle. Prop Ben Alexander was carried off when his leg got trapped underneath his body at a ruck and he suffered suspected knee ligament damage. "I think we were able to turn it on after halftime and keep it on after that," Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom said of their unanswered 35 points in the second half.
"One thing you know about Fiji is that they're extremely difficult to tackle if you give them space, so I think we worked well as a [defensive] line there."
- South Africa 34 Wales 31
- Australia 49 Fiji 3
