SCRUM-HALF Mike Phillips says Wales must win all three remaining autumn series internationals to make up for the ‘devastating’ defeat in their opener against South Africa, writes Iwan Gabe Davies.

The hosts couldn’t improve on their dire record against the Boks on Saturday, losing 24-15 at the Millennium Stadium to the world’s second best side.

Wales have beaten the Springboks just once in their history and for 60 minutes they looked like they might add to that with the score at 17-15.

But the visitors held their nerve to deservedly pull away, Fourie du Preez’s fortuitous try ensuring their 25th win out of 27 encounters, the teams sharing the spoils in 1970’s 6-6 draw.

Wales came close but were not quite good enough, also hampered by injuries to centre Jonathan Davies, wing Liam Williams and tighthead Adam Jones in the first half.

Phillips was visibly shattered after the game and urged his teammates to bounce back in this month’s other home games against Argentina, Tonga and Australia.

“Everybody is so disappointed, everybody gave it everything,” the 31-year-old said.

“We just felt that there were one or two lapses in concentration and the game was gone from us.

“It is really disappointing. I’m bitterly disappointed. We are used to winning here in Wales and we really felt we could go out there and create an upset. Obviously they are a great side, we know that.

“We had that lapse of concentration, they are a quality side and they capitalised on that.

“The crowd were magnificent again and the boys really felt that. We did well to come back (Wales trailed 17-6 at one stage in the first half) but it’s devastating really.

“They boys are really bitterly disappointed. They just want to play the game again. Obviously we can’t. We’ve got to learn from this and move on. We’ve got to win the next three really to put this right.”

Phillips, who is fighting Bayonne’s decision to fire him last month for allegedly turning up to a video analysis session under the influence of alcohol, believes were undone by their devastating injury list in the first half, sheer misfortune and the brilliance of the Springboks.

“We had a bit of bad luck and they capitalised when we had boys down injured as well,” the 78-times capped No 9 said.

“We didn’t have the rub of the green. It wasn’t our day really. There we are. We’ve got to learn from it, grow from it and move on and win the next three really.

“South Africa are among the most physical teams out there and they’ve got a simple game plan, they are very direct and they fed off our mistakes really.”

Phillips added: “They had a great driving maul and the boys gave everything really. You can’t ask for more. They were a bit more streetwise maybe on the floor. They are good at the tricks of the trade.

“We don’t like losing but we were confident, we knew it was going to be tough, that we had the talent to do it.”