WALES produced a stirring second half comeback but were unable to produce the killer punch against a resolute South African defence at the Millennium Stadium.

The world champions looked like they would run away with it when Jean De Villiers intercepted and raced over to make the score 20-3 after 52 minutes.

But Wales rallied and 12 points from the boot of replacement James Hook, who had gifted De Villiers his try, made for a nervous ending.

Crucially though Wales could not unlock an organised Springboks defence that snuffed out scoring chances even when the hosts had broken through.

South Africa had flown out of the blocks and took just five minutes to open the scoring when centre Adi Jacobs crashed over.

Ruan Pienaar, starting a Test at fly-half for the first time, added the extras and then stretched the lead to 10 points with a penalty on nine minutes.

But Wales gradually worked their way into the game with new boys Andy Powell and Leigh Halfpenny to the fore.

And it was Halfpenny who got the hosts on the scoreboard on 29 minutes when he took over the kicking responsibility from Stephen Jones and bisected the posts with his first effort.

However, that stung the Springboks back into life and Pienaar added a second penalty on the stroke of half-time for a 13-3 lead.