South Africa...53 Wales...18: A long afternoon ended a long season for Wales during which they have played on four continents over 10 months and under two coaches, but despite the margin of this defeat in Pretoria they completed it with optimism undimmed for the season ahead.
When they start the new term against this same opposition at the Millennium Stadium in November the boot will be firmly on the other foot.
South Africa will then be coming to the end of their 10-month season and will, in all probability, be suffering from the same kind of injuries and withdrawals that made this three-Test trip - Wales had shared the series in Argentina 1-1 before arriving here - a rugby cross between Survivor and Fame Academy.
Wales's coach Mike Ruddock picked out the performances of Adam Jones, Huw Bennett, Nicky Robinson, Gavin Henson and Dafydd Jones as the "bonuses" of the trip. "Add that to the boys back home and the future still looks very good," he said.
Wales's hopes of running the Springboks closer were winged before kick-off by the withdrawals of Michael Owen (back injury) and Brent Cockbain (compassionate leave) and they lost Deiniol Jones (hip) and Robinson (hamstring) early.
After Owen's impressive replacement, Alix Popham, was carried off concussed after 50 minutes, Wales had to play the last half-hour with the replacement hooker Bennett at flank.
Even so they were hammering away at the final whistle, with Shane Williams scoring their second try after the siren, leaving the Welsh RFU chairman David Pickering "very, very proud" of the team but adding: "No team in future should be asked to make a tour that includes two different time zones."
SOUTH AFRICA: Montgomery; Paulse (Mentz, 79), Joubert, Julies, Russell; Van der Westhuyzen (Du Toit, 70), Du Preez (Conradie, 55); Du Randt, Smit (capt), Rautenbach (Andrews, 74), Davids (G Cronje, 55), Matfield (Shimange, 69), Burger, Wannenburg (Britz, 55), J Cronje. Tries: Russell 2, Smit, Paulse, Julies, Conradie, Burger. Cons: Montgomery 6. Pens: Montgomery 2.
WALES: Henson; Luscombe, Parker, Shanklin, Williams; Robinson (Sweeney, 32), Peel; Jenkins (Duncan Jones, 54), Davies, A Jones, Deiniol Jones (Jonathan Thomas, 24), Llewellyn, Dafydd Jones, Charvis (capt), Popham (Bennett, 50). Tries: Peel, Williams. Con: Henson. Pens: Henson 2.
Referee: S Walsh (New Zealand).
A penalty from Ionut Tofan two minutes from time gave Romania a surprise 25-24 win over Italy in a dramatic finale to their one-off test in Bucharest on Saturday.
Romania led 22-5 at the break but Italy stormed back to lead 24-22 with three minutes left, on the clock, only for Tofan to slot over the game-winning kick to hand new coach Daniel Santamans victory in his first game in charge. Frenchman Santamans was only appointed on Friday
Romania dominated the first half, scoring early with a try and conversion from Tofan.
Italy responded with a try from wing Nicola Mazzucato before the home side crossed again on 21 minutes with flanker Costica Mersoiu touching down.
Ovidiu Tonita added a third try and a penalty from full back Danut Dumbrava gave Romania a commanding half-time lead.
Italy coach John Kirwan rang the changes and his side responded with tries in the second half from Kane Robertson, Gonzalo Canale and Paul Griffen.
