Eddie Jones: Cheslin Kolbe's athleticism key to Springboks' win over Wallabies

The 31-year-old returned from injury during South Africa's 30-22 win over the Wallabies in Cape Town on Saturday, playing a pivotal role in the Boks' performance.

While Kolbe is celebrated for his speed, footwork, and balance, he has also honed his fundamentals, key attributes for a modern-day wing.

The speedster is excellent defensively and just as good under the high ball, and it was the latter which helped the Boks to overcome Australia in the second round of the Rugby Championship.

Handre Pollard was named man of the match on the night for his composure and deadly accuracy off the tee, but Jones, who was part of Jake White's Springbok coaching team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2007, thought the work of Kolbe elevated the flyhalf's display.

"Do you remember when you were a kid, those compressed elastic balls called 'Powerballs' that bounced almost to the moon and back? I'm sure Cheslin's made from the same elastic, as his ability to bounce off tackles and get off the floor into the air is quite remarkable," he wrote in his column.

"His work rate is something sensational; he's always looking for an intervention, a moment of innovation, a chance to change the course of the game.

"For all of Pollard's brilliance with his tactical kicking, Kolbe made so many of his marginal kicks into winning moments due to incredible chasing and that unreal standing leap that defines his athleticism."

Jones has noticed a trend of lighter wings being preferred by current international coaches due to the importance of the kicking and aerial battle.

"Sides are desperate to score with as few passes as possible - transition attack is now the key to winning at Test level, and teams are playing to achieve this with as few rucks as possible to prevent the defensive reset," he wrote.

"How does this affect players? Well, we're seeing a move back from the flat track power wings of Duhan van der Merwe, George North and co. and we're seeing them replaced by 'aerialists' and 'evaders', players like Cheslin Kolbe, Edwill van der Merwe, Rodrigo Isgro and Max Jorgensen thrive, athletes with phenomenal standing jumps, able to challenge much bigger men than themselves and win the contest 'upstairs'."

READ MORE: Kwagga Smith eyes historic Eden Park win for Springboks