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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ben James

Brian O’Driscoll pinpoints area where South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe surpasses Wales legend Shane Williams

Irish legend Brian O'Driscoll believes South Africa star Cheslin Kolbe is a better side-stepper than Shane Williams.

Wales' record try-scorer Williams was one of the most fearsome steppers in the game, but Springbok Kolbe is an equally frightening attacker.

After he helped Toulouse book their place in the Champions Cup final, former Ireland star and BT Sport pundit O'Driscoll was full of praise for the 27-year-old.

"He is like an Energiser Bunny," he said.

"It just feels as though [his step] can come off of either side. Owen Farrell knows in the World Cup final he came off his right foot the same way, so it is frightening what he can do.

"You need those sorts of players in big moments, just like Dupont is turning up for the big occasion, he turns up to create little snippets.

"Even if nothing comes of it, [it is there] for us to oogle and love and enjoy and get us watching the next game he is going to play in."

As for the issue of who was the better stepper, O'Driscoll claimed that Kolbe's ability to beat a defender off either foot is what marks him out as special.

"I am going to say yes!" O’Driscoll said when asked if he thinks Kolbe is a better side-stepper than Williams.

"Shane Williams was a left-foot step. The problem was if you waited for it on the inside he burnt you on the outside. He didn’t have double feet like Cheslin Kolbe has."

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