Hat-trick hero Arendse earns Eddie's respect after Loftus magic: 'He's an exceptional player'

Australia coach Eddie Jones may have been left bristling, bruised, and scarred by the bone-jarring 43-12 defeat to the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, but he still had time to praise Kurt-Lee Arendse and his magical hat-trick.

Arendse's three tries moved the Springboks from a position of vulnerability at 5-0 to a position of strength at 22-5, from where the Boks rammed home their physical advantage.

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Jones has seen enough of Arendse to know that he's a thorn in the flesh while he also congratulated flyhalf Manie Libbok for his match management.

"The winger played very well and he's an exceptional player," Jones said.

"He's a real talent to come out of this South African system. They were good in their game, especially with their forwards.

"With Libbok, they were able to move the ball and do so skilfully, while also being clinical in taking opportunities."

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Jones said the Boks would've played differently if they had Handre Pollard starting instead of Libbok, who gave the ball more air.

"South Africa tends to play to their personnel," Jones said.

"The one thing that doesn't change is the forward pack, but where there are changes is in the backline.

"When there's Libbok at 10, they play differently as compared to Pollard at 10 and that's a personnel change."