Wales full-back Gareth Anscombe has insisted that there was "nothing" to separate his side and South Africa during their Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash at Twickenham.

Despite being severely depleted by injuries and having already played two previous World Cup winners in this tournament, Wales matched the Springboks every step of the way until Fourie du Preez went over for the winning try five minutes from time.

Anscombe admitted that a high-tempo first half had an effect on the fatigue levels of both sides, but believes that the difference was ultimately the momentum South Africa were able to build late on.

"The first half took a lot out of the legs. It was a very quick game. The boys were blowing in that first half, as were they," Anscombe told Sports Mole.

"There isn't much difference between these teams here. I think once the team has all the momentum... it's funny what a bit of momentum can do to you. They seemed to have about 20 guys on the field and we seemed to have about 12, which is the way momentum flows in these sort of games.

"Likewise, before they scored the try mostly I think they'd say it was like that for us, but we couldn't quite come up with a miracle play."

Meanwhile, Wales captain Sam Warburton has insisted that his side did not run out of steam in the closing stages despite such a gruelling tournament so far.