Wales will probably never get a better opportunity to beat South Africa but they were unable to get over the line against the world champions in Pool D on Sunday, eventually going down in agonising fashion, 17-16 at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
Wayne Gatland's men were slow out of the blocks and South Africa capitalised when full-back Frans Steyn bundled his way over the line after three minutes. Steyn's namesake Morne added the extras to leave the Boks 7-0 up before the Six Nations outfit even got their hands on the ball.
With ten minutes on the clock Perpignan's James Hook put Wales on the board with a sweetly struck penalty and in the process brought his points tally at the World Cup to date to 26.
South Africa restored their seven-point advantage on 20 minutes when Morne Steyn obliged with his first penalty of the night.
Two minutes later Hook made it two penalites from three and Wales were deservedly back to within four of their more illustrious opponents.
The second-half at 'The Cake Tin' saw Wales show South Africa little or no respect and with just under 50 minutes played Hook had them within one of Peter De Villier's charges.
Four minutes later the Welsh fans in attendance erupted when Toby Faletau slid over the line to score his first Test try for the men from the valleys. Hook slotted the conversion and the game was now Wales' to lose.
However, lose it they did, thanks in the main to replacement Francois Hougaard's try 15 minutes from time which was converted with ease by the ever-reliable Steyn.
With seven minutes remaining Hook had the chance to win it for Wales but his effort was caught by the notorious Wellington wind and drifted right of the posts.