South Africa eventually roared back with a try from Francois Hougaard and Morne Steyn’s conversion to edge the game 17-16 and leave Bennett and co. crushed.

Things should get easier against Samoa, who are ranked tenth in the world, but Wales lost to them at both the 1991 and 1999 World Cups and Bennett admits his team-mates must be fully focussed on the South Sea Islanders.

“It was obviously a bitter pill to swallow not gaining the win (against South Africa), but we can't mope around about the loss,” he said.

“You look back on it and it does bring back thoughts of 'if only'. But you have got to make it happen and at the end of the day we lost.

“We have got ourselves in a situation where we need to win all our games. We've put it to bed now and we are fully concentrated on our task against Samoa.”

Defeat to Samoa in 1991, coupled with a loss to Australia, cost Wales a quarter-final place and after already losing to South Africa, Bennett insists they can’t afford another slip.

“We haven't got the best of histories against Samoa in the World Cup, which is something we are looking to eradicate,” Bennett added.

“It's a massive game for us. They did really well against Australia earlier in the summer, so they are running with some good form. They bring a lot of passion, a lot of physicality and some flair as well.

“You haven't got to be a rocket scientist to know what Samoa are going to come at you with.”