So that's it from us in Cape Town and it's another defeat for Wales at WXV2.

It was a heartbreaking loss that went right down to the wire as Italy gained revenge for suffering a similar defeat in Cardiff in the Six Nations.

They dominated the game and looked by far the better side, with ball in hand as well as with the boot.

Wales' Achilles' heel remains their inability to turn chances into points.

They look to be caught in a vicious circle as the harder they try, the more desperate they become and the less composed they look.

Pressure is only going to intensify now on Wales and their head coach Ioan Cunningham as their miserable 2024 goes on.

Join us next week for their final game of the WXV2 against Japan - a game they now simply must win.

See you then.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham said: "It's very disappointing but our players fought hard right to the end and we had a chance to steal it at the end.

"But we can't dwell on it because we have a short turnaround to Japan next week so we have to focus on that.

"We have to rest up to be fresh physically but also have clarity in our game plan.

"It's all about accuracy. We are creating so many opportunities and had a lot of territory and possession, especially in the first half, but we have to be more clinical."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Player of the match Sara Tounesi said: "This is Italian rugby... we never give up.

"I am so excited that we have won, I don't know what I can say."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales captain Hannah Jones said: "You've got to give it the girls, we didn't give up right to the end.

"We created a lot of opportunities but it's about keeping your composure in those moments to finish the chances. We're creating opportunities but not taking them.

"It's tough right now but we have to stay tight. We're allowed to hurt for now but we have a short turnaround for Japan so have to reflect and then get on with preparing for that game."

Image source, Getty Images

Italy prop Silvia Turani said: "We have been through so much but we dug in at the end and I am so proud of the team.

"It was such a difficult match and at the end, we just said to each other we had to win. We are all so happy."

Ceri Coleman-Phillips
BBC Sport Wales rugby reporter

That's the story of Wales' year.

No composure when it mattered.

There are tears on the pitch... from both sides.

Italy are celebrating a crucial win... Wales are dejected.

That's it, full time and Italy have won.

Wales make a series of thrusts for the line. Kayleigh Powell goes close but rolls onto her back to keep the play alive.

Keira Bevan thinks she spots a gap but is held up over the line and the chance is gone. As has the game!

Wales go for the scrum again, it inches forward but Italy are holding.

Beth Lewis just picked up that ball in time as the referee was putting the whistle to her mouth!

Ouch! Lleucu George is tackled from two different directions and her knee folding awkwardly underneath her. That looked nasty.

The fly-half is taken off on the medical buggy.

Sian Jones comes on.

It would be an easy penalty kick in front of the posts that would get the draw.

But they go for the scrum in an effort to win it as the clock ticks past 80 minutes.

Wales have a lineout but the rolling maul is going sideways not forward.

They're forced to spread it wide and Alex Callender wins another penalty at the breakdown.

What do they do here, in front of the posts?

Wales are on the attack... and Nel Metcalfe is almost through but can't shake off the Italian grasp. They couldn't possibly do it to Italy again, could they?

Nice moment here for Wales and the Pyrs sisters.

Lock Alaw is on for her Test debut and will pack down behind her older sister Gwenllian.

Oh that was close.

Keira Bevan makes a half-break and manages to offload to Nel Metcalfe but the wing was always stretching to gather that off her bootlaces.

Wales penalised and that will let Italy clear the danger just as they were starting to build.

Kayleigh Powell tries to hurdle the tackle of Valeria Fedrighi and is penalised for jumping into a tackle.

That allows Beatrice Rigoni to kick Italy back up field and relieve the pressure.

Ceri Coleman-Phillips
BBC Sport Wales rugby reporter

Wales left it late to beat Italy in the 2024 Women's Six Nations, can they do it again?

That lineout was such a wasted opportunity. I would usually put my mortgage on Wales scoring from five metres out.

Finally Wales start stringing a few passes together as Bethan Lewis, Georgia Evans and Natalia John make ground.

They may not have played well but Wales are still in this.

A penalty to equalise... or a try could win this.

As I say that, the Hannah centre pair of captain Jones and try-scorer Bluck are off.

Courtney Keight and Kayleigh Powell are on.