Led by the superb Jamie Kift, Wales mounted a second half comeback after letting in two soft tries in the first half which gifted South Africa a 10-0 lead at the break.
With the wind behind them, Wales camped inside the South African half and edged their way back into the game with a penalty by full back Non Evans with 10 minutes remaining.?? Repalcement centre Elen Evans then finished off a well executed backs move to dot down under the posts. With Non Evans adding the extras Wales were just five points behind with the clock ticking down.
From the re-start Wales surged back down towards the South African try-line where Naomi Thomas danced her way towards the white-wash, beating tacklers at will, only to be denied at the death by a last-ditch tackle.
For the second game running Wales will rue the fact they gifted the opposition easy points.
Wales dominated field possession in the opening quarter but couldn’t find their way over the try-line. ??South Africa’s backline oozed pace and looked dangerous on the few occasions they had the ball in their hands.
No8 Namhia Siyolo powered over in the 30th minute bwfoew the South Africans extended their lead on the stroke of halftime when Wales had flanker Catrina Nicholas in the sin bin.??The Green and Golds went for glory and threw everything at Wales with the outstretched defence having no answer to flying winger Charmaine Kayser who went over in the corner.
Wales upped the tempo in the second half and held a mortgage on South African territory but lacked a cutting edge.
Eventually South Africa turned the ball over and full back Zandile Nojoko made Wales pay by evading two desperate tackles and scooting down the touchline to score in the corner.
Wales refused to drop their heads and fought back but the clock was against them as they followed their opening round defeat to Australia with another loss to drop to the bottom of the points table with their next opponents, New Zealand, leading the way on points difference ahead of the Wallaroos and South Africa.
Wales’s next game is on Saturday 28 August where tournament favourites New Zealand await.
Scorers: Wales: Try – Elen Evans; Con: Non Evans; Pen: Non Evans.
South Africa: Tries: Slyolo, Kayser, Nojoko.
