The dragons' fire goes out: Heartbreak for Wales fans as their team lose 19-16 to South Africa

Prince William has praised the Wales rugby team after they crashed out of the World Cup with a narrow 16-19 loss to South Africa. He wrote in a tweet through the Kensington Palace page: 'A Heroic performance, unfortunately this time it wasn't meant to be' South African players walk to the edge of the stadium to celebrate with their fans following the win over Wales today The Dragons will play New Zealand in the third and fourth place play-off in what will be head coach Warren Gatland's final game at the helm before he steps down after 12 years South African players hug each other as a Wales player walks off the pitch after the final whistle in the close game in Yokohama The Welsh players looked heartbroken after today's match, with wing George North seen breaking down in tears At home: Wales fans look dejected after watching the match in Tenby, Wales, as their side slumped to a last-minute defeat And away: Welsh fans from Llandybie RFC look down from the stands towards the pitch where their side narrowly lost to South Africa Wales' legend Alun Wyn Jones goes over to talk to his family who are in the stands after the match The Welsh players looked dejected, with some hunching over on the pitch and clutching their head in anguish Mbongeni Mbonambi of South Africa congratulates fellow players after the narrow win over Wales today saw his team make it through to the Rugby World Cup Final The scrappy game saw a large amount of kicking, with the two teams largely relying on penalties to get points Faf de Klerk of South Africa celebrates his side winning a penalty at the end the match, helping them to victory Wales' Leigh Halfpenny hugs South Africa's Handre Pollard, following South Africa's win which means they will face England in the World Cup Final Pictured: Fans watch the match on a screen at the Liberty Stadium in Wales as the nation took on the Springboks in the semi-final Eddie Jones tries to look incognito in NFL cap at South Africa vs Wales Eddie Jones went undercover in Yokohoma - disguising himself as a fan of NFL squad Houston Texans as he scouted Wales v South Africa. Wing Josh Adams of Wales goes over the try line to score his team's first try during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Semi-Final The Springboks broke the try deadlock as Damian de Allende powered over the line in the 57th minute Wales' wing George North runs with the ball past South Africans as the match started off with both teams kicking a lot Wales fans descend on the International Stadium in Yokohama and wave their flags proudly as the highly-anticipated match kicked off Fans wearing green coveralls cheer during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final match as Wales struggled to get going against the Springboks A South Africa fan dons a stunned dress as she smiles from the stand. Welsh supporters were seen in the grounds of the International Stadium suitably dressed for the occasion, with lycra onsies being on show A Wales fan wears a cow-suit as he stands outside the International Stadium in Yokohama ahead of the match at 9am UK time If the Welsh get through to their first final, it will be the first time two northern hemisphere teams face off for the title Springboks came into this clash having defeated Rugby World Cup hosts with a second-half surge to leave Japan with no response as they look for a first win against the Welsh Dragons since 2015 A Wales fan shows his support ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match at International Stadium on Sunday Warren Gatland's men made the semi-final after a tempered Frank Lock Sebastien Vahaamahina elbowed Aaron Wainwright to be sent off with Wales eventually taking advantage with a late try from Ross Moriarty to win 20-19 Supporters show their excitement by holding up a huge Wales flag ahead of the match today, with them hoping to meet the old enemy England in the final Fans descended on the 72,000-seat stadium in Japan with beers in hand as the highly-anticipated semi-final approached England bulldozed New Zealand 19-7 yesterday in a nail-biting semi-final which saw a second-minute try from Manu Tuilagi set the agenda England bulldozed New Zealand 19-7 yesterday in a nail-biting match that saw a second-minute try from Manu Tuilagi set the agenda Fans drank together and sang as they got ready for the match in Yokohama. Tens of thousands descended on the stadium Today's clash was never expected to be a running rugby classic, with both teams preferring to play a low-risk style and rely on forward power A rugby fan wears a relevant hat to the game in Yokohama as he smiles ahead of Sunday's big game South Africa smiled as they waited for the start of the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final match against Wales on Sunday Ireland fans who bought tickets for the final wear pumpkin hats ahead of Halloween.