Wayne Pivac hails South Africa tour as significant step forward for Wales

Wayne Pivac described Wales’ South Africa tour as “a big step in the right direction” despite seeing their dream of Test series glory dashed.

South Africa took the decider 30-14 in Cape Town, with head coach Jacques Nienaber having recalled eight of the Springboks’ 2019 World Cup-winning team after Wales levelled the series seven days ago.

And it worked a treat as South Africa claimed the series 2-1 through tries from Handre Pollard, Bongi Mbonambi and Siya Kolisi, with Pollard kicking three conversions and three penalties for a 20-point haul.

A brave and valiant display by Wales wasn't quite enough as the Springboks secured a 2-1 series win in Cape Town

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“For us, it was a big step in the right direction,” Wales head coach Pivac said.

“When we get together again for the autumn series, we will be less than 12 months from the World Cup, so we need to build on this tour. I am very pleased that the positives outweigh the negatives.

“The players enjoy rolling their sleeves up and each other’s company. There is disappointment about losing a game of rugby, but, overall, we will have a couple of beers tonight and it will be positive heading into the next series.

“I am a little frustrated and disappointed with the scoreline, but I am certainly not disappointed with the effort that has gone in during the last six weeks.

I am certainly not disappointed with the effort that has gone in during the last six weeks

“We came here with a goal to try and win a series and we were serious about that. It wasn’t just talk and the players worked really well together.”

Wales’ second Test win in Bloemfontein was their first against the Springboks on South African soil, while they were