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Cape Town - Wayne Pivac began his reign as Wales coach with a 43-33 victory over the Barbarians in a typically entertaining clash in the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
The match also marked a final farewell to the Welsh crowd of just over 60 000 for Pivac's predecessor Warren Gatland - who took charge of the Barbarians side - and a final bow for Irish rugby legend Rory Best.
In his 12-year tenure, the 56-year-old Gatland guided the Welsh to four Six Nations titles - including three Grand Slams - and two World Cup semi-finals.
"It has been incredibly special," said Gatland afterwards, who saluted the crowd. "I will be back some day, maybe sitting in the stands.
"Wales to win today for a new regime it is good and a rare time I can smile in defeat.
"We have had a few Grand Slams in our time together and it really has been pretty special," added the New Zealander, who will be reunited with some of his players when he coaches the British & Irish Lions for a third time in 2021.
The game only really sparked into life in the second-half as the Barbarians threw caution to the wind and from being 33-7 down ramped up the pressure to score 19 unanswered points.
The hosts stretched their lead once more to 40-26 only for Australian flanker Pete Samu to score a converted try.
However, with under three minutes remaining, Wales captain Justin Tipuric played the pragmatic card and told Leigh Halfpenny to go for goal and not for touch with a penalty.
The veteran fullback duly slotted it over for 43-33 and give Pivac a debut victory.
Best departed in the 52nd minute having had a final polite talking to by Welsh referee Nigel Owens over the conduct of his players.
However, seconds later, the 37-year-old, 129-time capped grizzled hooker, was shaking hands warmly with Owens as he left the pitch - hugs and pats on the back from opponents and team-mates as well as a standing ovation.
Scorers:
Barbarians
Tries: Josh Strauss, Curwin Bosch, Shaun Stevenson, Craig Millar, Pete Samu
Conversions: Bosch (4)
Wales
Tries: Josh Adams (2), Johnny McNicholl, Ken Owens (2), Gareth Davies
Conversions: Leigh Halfpenny (5)
Penalty: Halfpenny
Teams:
Barbarians
15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Cornal Hendricks, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Marco van Staden, 6 Pete Samu, 5 Tyler Ardon, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Rory Best (captain), 1 Campese Ma’afu
Substitutes: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Craig Millar, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 George Biagi, 20 Angus Cottrell, 21 Jano Vermaak, 22 Billy Meakes, 23 Matt Duffie
Wales
15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Justin Tipuric (captain), 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Wyn Jones
Substitutes: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Leon Brown, 19 Seb Davies, 20 Ollie Griffiths, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Owen Lane
