ANOTHER Herculean defensive effort at Twickenham wasn’t enough as Wales fell agonisingly short in their quest for World Cup fulfilment.

Seven days after the frustration of failing to demolish Australia’s golden wall, Warren Gatland’s men stood firm against the brutal South Africans until they were undone by a moment of magic with five minutes left.

They were within sight of the semi-finals, getting the chance to go at least one better than the 2011 effort that the head coach has said left them “unfulfilled”.

But then from a solid scrum number eight Duane Vermeulen went on the charge and conjured a majestic offload out of the tackle of Lloyd Williams and Alex Cuthbert to send scrum-half Fourie du Preez scorching over down the left in the manner of Mike Phillips against the Irish in Wellington four years ago.

It was a classy moment to settle a monumental, intense Test.

Gatland said in midweek that Wales were not ready to go home but they must pack their bags, rueing an indisciplined first quarter because they stood firm against the direct approach of the Boks.

With Sam Warburton immense they hadn’t looked like shipping a try until that gut-wrenching moment; once again they are left with the tag of gallant losers against a southern hemisphere big gun.

They have done brilliantly despite a crippling injury list but are left to lament another 'if-only'.

South Wales Argus:

Wales made a storming start and could, nay should, have been over in the 22 where they had faltered against the Wallabies inside three minutes.

It all started with a rip by Tyler Morgan and, after George North had gone on the rampage, the Newport Gwent Dragons Test novice had a run-in down the right.

Alas, blindside Dan Lydiate got in the way of Alex Cuthbert in midfield and then loosehead Gethin Jenkins flung a wild pass into touch off his left hand.

A trip to the ‘red zone’ yielded nothing and Wales were chasing the game courtesy of a pair of Handre Pollard penalties inside 13 minutes.

Referee Wayne Baynes was being extremely strict at the breakdown and no sooner had Dan Biggar swiftly settled the nerves with a three-pointer than Pollard responded to make it 9-3.

But it was the Wales 10 who then took centre stage, majestically claiming his own bomb ahead of Boks full-back Willie le Roux before giving half-back partner Gareth Davies a run-in.

No sooner had the Ospreys fly-half added the extras for a 10-9 lead than Wales gifted the advantage back with another mind-numbing offence.

Lock Luke Charteris’ blocking run following an up and under allowed Pollard to make it 12-10 after a quarter that contained more points than the meeting between the nations in Cardiff last autumn.

Things settled down with the South Africans enjoying the better of things territorially but Wales standing firm against their power runners and doing well at the breakdown.

A glorious crossfield kick by Fourie du Preez almost put JP Pietersen in down the right aand the Boks were unable to crack Wales with their direct approach.

That sterling defensive work deservedly paid off with the final play of a pulsating half when, seconds after he struck the right upright with a penalty, Biggar banged over a drop goal for a 13-12 lead.

South Wales Argus:

The first minute of the second half was harum scarum with the Boks failing to take the kick-off, sam Warburton passing into Gethin Jenkins’ face and Gareth Davies putting in two loose kicks.

Wales then offended from a driving lineout only for Pollard to continue the error-strewn start by missing from the tee.

Biggar made no such mistake after 46 minutes to make it 16-12 and Wales knew continued strong defence and improved discipline held the key to the semis.

However, the Boks were soon back on the front foot and a breathless passage of play ended with a Pollard drop goal to make it a one-point game with half an hour left after the red wall once again stood firm.

Another miss by the green 10 after 55 minutes, hooked, gave Wales a let-off but it was suddenly one-way traffic and there was another escape when Lood de Jager spilled the ball in the 22 after a searing break by le Roux.

It was always likely to be a tense finale and so it proved as the hour passed.

Another chance was presented to Pollard, Gareth Davies off his feet, and this time there was no mistake – 18-16 to the Boks with 18 minutes left.

But straight from the restart de Jager was pinged for the same offence – Biggar made it 19-18.

Cue more direct Boks attacking and yet more brilliant defence until that moment of magic by Vermeulen put Welsh backs up against the wall.

Wales: G Anscombe, A Cuthbert, T Morgan (J Hook 68), J Roberts, G North, D Biggar (R Priestland 73), G Davies (L Williams 71), G Jenkins (P James 56), S Baldwin (K Owens 57), S Lee (T Francis 56), L Charteris (B Davies 64), A W Jones, D Lydiate (J Tipuric 68), S Warburton (captain), T Faletau.

Scorers: try – G Davies; conversion – D Biggar; penalties – D Biggar (3); drop goal – D Biggar

South Africa: W le Roux, JP Pietersen, J Kriel (J Serfontein 68), D De Allende, B Habana, H Pollard (P Lambie 76), F du Preez (captain), T Mtawarira (T Nyakane 57), B du Plessis (A Strauss 11-23 55), F Malherbe (J du Plessis 62), E Etzebeth (P du Toi 68), L de Jager, F Louw (W Alberts 68), S Burger, D Vermeulen.

Scorers: try – F du Preez; penalties – H Pollard (5); drop goal – H Pollard

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Attendance: 79,572

Argus star man: Sam Warburton