Warren Gatland was left frustrated after Wales passed up an opportunity to record their second ever victory over South Africa.
Head coach unhappy after Wales surrender early lead
Wales head coach Warren Gatland was left frustrated after his side passed up an opportunity to record their second ever victory over South Africa.
The hosts surged into a 16-3 lead after an impressive opening spell against a second string Springboks side at the Millennium Stadium.
However, the world champions eventually took control and their clinical play allowed them to turn the contest around early in the second half.
A late flurry from Wales then fell just short, leaving Gatland to rue his team's lapse in the middle stages of the contest.
"We are frustrated," the New Zealander said after the match.
Improvement
"If that was a couple of years ago we would have said what a good performance it was. But we have come on from there.
"In the opening 25 minutes we were clinical, accurate and 16-3 up, and then we caught some sort of disease, I don't know what it is.
"We got ourselves in a bit of trouble, got behind and then showed great character at the end. But we are frustrated at a missed opportunity."
South Africa had many of their regular Test stars missing, but Gatland insists Wales were still facing opponents of the highest quality.
He added: "We played the world champions today. Guys who played in the Super 14 final last week, and the Stormers and the Bulls are two of the best teams in the world.
"The thing from today is you feel like you are not too far away and you are not turning up thinking we hope to have a good day and they have a bad day and we can cause an upset.
"We know if we are more clinical we are capable of beating anyone. Today was an opportunity we didn't take.
"As a team you grow and mature and learn to handle situations and sometimes it's about a bit of luck getting that win can transform a side's confidence and belief."
New boys
Springbok Juan de Jongh marked his debut with a try while fellow new boys Gio Aplon and Francois Louw also impressed.
"They earned their stripes in the Super 14 and it was a just reward for them," South Africa boss Peter de Villiers said.
"And it's good for us to be able to keep this team moving forward, it puts us in a good position."
Captain John Smit added: "I thought the new guys were outstanding, not only did they fit in well but they fitted into the level of training and they didn't look too bad out there on the field.
"It's good to know you have these guys to fall back on when people are out through poor form or injury."
