The best of the Rugby World Cup action – in pictures

The reigning world champions began their title defence against Wales at the Cake Tin in Wellington. They struck an early blow when Francois Steyn, left, bundled the ball over the try-line from one of the game's first passages of play Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

James Hook kicked two first-half penalties for Wales (and had another disallowed despite video replays suggesting it was good) to narrow the deficit. Tongan-born Toby Faletau, above, then broke the Springbok line in the 54th minute, giving his side a deserved lead Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

But when the Springboks bravely opted to run the ball instead of kicking a penalty in the 65th minute, Francois Hougaard was able to split the Welsh defence … Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Hougaard's try was converted by Morgan Steyn and, despite a valiant fight-back from the Welsh, South Africa held on to win 17-16
Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images

The Welsh team may have lost but theirs was a commendable performance – easily the best of the European nations so far … Photograph: Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images

Earlier in the day Ireland beat the USA despite their alarming deficiencies. Here, Blaine Scully of the USA gives the Irish No8 the runaround Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Wet conditions in New Plymouth made ball-handling tricky. Here, the USA's James Paterson, who kicked one penalty and one conversion for his side, ends up on his backside Photograph: Paul Thomas/Action Images

Tommy Bowe scored two tries for Ireland, one in each half Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

But Ireland were scrappy throughout the contest and failed to impose themselves on the resilient Americans who scored a late breakaway try to ensure an unexpectedly close final score of 22-10 Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Australia comprehensively outplayed Italy in the second half of their opening World Cup match to secure a 32-6 win Photograph: Dave Hunt/EPA

The Tri Nations champions scored four tires after the break, the first of which was created by smart work on the flank by the No8 Radike Samo, pictured, who supplied the prop Ben Alexander Photograph: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

Wonder what the Italian sheep in this Dunedin field made of that result? Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images