Former World Cup-winning Bok coach Jake White says he can foresee inspirational Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones going on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

The Boks will face Wales in this Sunday’s semi-final, with the winner moving on to a title decider against either the All Blacks or England.

In an article on WalesOnline, White hailed the influence that Jones was having.

‘There are people who are destined to pick up the World Cup. You look at Richie McCaw, Francois Pienaar and John Eales,’ said White. ‘Now you look at Alun Wyn Jones. I really believe he can do it.

‘He is the most-improved rugby player during the time they have played Test rugby that I’ve ever seen. I don’t think people foresaw what he would do for Welsh rugby when he started. He has become one of the great Welsh players of all time with what he has achieved as a Lions captain and a Wales captain.

‘I’d say it is far beyond what even he could have dreamed of. Like Aaron Smith with the All Blacks, Johnny Sexton at Ireland, he’s the heartbeat of Wales and if he is there then Wales have got a chance.’

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White goes so far as to suggest that he can see Wales managing to overcome the Boks.

‘They’ve had South Africa’s number for a while. Everyone will have done their homework on who they would have wanted to play in the run-up to the final, and Japan put the spoke into that for a few teams, but Wales would have always known they’d get South Africa in the semi-final.

‘What I’d fear as South Africa coach is that Wales weren’t great last weekend but they got over the line. That means a lot when you are looking for momentum.’

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