Wales coach Warren Gatland has stated that his team did not do enough to warrant a victory over South Africa.

Wales led for much of their quarter-final tie against the Springboks but succumbed to a late Fourie du Preez try in a 23-19 loss.

"I couldn't have asked for any more from the players. They gave everything and left the field having emptied their tanks. In the end, we were not good enough," Gatland told reporters following the defeat, also citing the amount of penalties his side conceded as a problem.

"You have to give credit to South Africa, who stayed in there. You could look at the way we defended the scrum from which they scored the winning try and ask questions, but they showed a lot of skill and you have to respect that.

"It is very disappointing to go out so late, but Wales can be very proud of the players, the way they have performed and they commitment they have shown."

Wales bow out of the Rugby World Cup, while South Africa will play New Zealand in the semi-final on October 24 after the All Blacks hammered France on Saturday evening.