Kolbe similar to Robinson: Edwards

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards says South Africa wing Cheslin Kolbe reminds him of England’s 2003 World Cup winner Jason Robinson.

Diminutive Kolbe has scored seven tries in 13 Tests and his elusive style prompted Edwards to compare him with his ex-rugby league team-mate Robinson.

Wales face South Africa in the World Cup semi-final on Sunday.

“If you want to watch a game of rugby, you want to go and watch Cheslin Kolbe,” said Edwards.

“We’ll have to keep an eye on him because he’s one of the most dynamic players I’ve ever seen.

“I was lucky enough to play with Jason Robinson for many years. I was his captain at Wigan when he first came in the team there.

“Kolbe is a similar player to Jason - incredibly explosive, short and defies the fact that you have to be big to play the game of rugby.” Kolbe epitomises a South African side that is blessed with pace as well as their traditional power.

“Out wide they’ve got incredible speed,” said Edwards. “If there was a 4x100m relay race with all the teams in the World Cup, they would probably be the fastest.”

The Springboks power game remains though and they battered hosts Japan into submission in their quarter-final victory. “We’ll have to muscle up on the advantage line,” said Edwards.

“They’re huge men and are fantastic defensively. They’re statistically the best defensive team in the world at the moment.

“They’ve got two pretty canny half-backs. I’m a huge fan of both those players at nine and 10.

“It will be a battle royal on that advantage line.”

Wales hope centre Jonathan Davies proves his fitness for Sunday as he faces a continued fitness battle.

The 31-year-old picked up a knee injury against Fiji and missed the matches against Uruguay and France.”