Bok star Kolbe on Damian Willemse's match-winning performance: 'He'll get even better!'

Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe had a ground-level view of Damian Willemse's game-breaking display against Wales at Loftus Versfeld, and it reminded him of the dominant tyro who owned schools rugby in the Western Province region.

Kolbe, who went to Brackenfell and played Craven Week in 2011, was a bit before Willemse but had seen enough of the lanky utility back to realise he'll be an important player in later life.

Willemse was still 19 when Kolbe left the Stormers, but they were both World Cup winners in 2019. Willemse finally shed his international shell with a commanding performance that helped SA see off Wales 32-29 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

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Willemse contributed seven points to the win, including the last-minute penalty that broke Welsh hearts, with Kolbe saying that he has always been an incredible player.

"He's been an incredible player since he left school, and he's developed very quickly and very well," Kolbe said.

"He was 18, coming out of school and he was thrown into the deep end. It's great to see how he's matured and got to grips with the experience of playing at the highest level.

"He's still young and he's still learning, but there's a lot more that he can offer to South African rugby, so I was excited with his performance.

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"I'm sure he'll improve and get even better."

Kolbe's try was part of SA's 28-point second-half assault that saw them overturn an 18-3 half-time deficit.

He admitted the Springboks were not at the races for the better part of the first half and they needed a few harsh words to get their act in