Springbok wing JP Pietersen says his All Blacks counterpart Julian Savea cannot be compared to the great Jonah Lomu.

Savea not only equalled Lomu and Bryan Habana's record for most tries at a single World Cup (eight) with his hat-trick against France, but surpassed Lomu on the All Blacks' all-time leading try-scorer list, with 38 tries in 39 Tests (Lomu scored 37 tries in 63 Tests). 

Pietersen was full of praise for Savea ahead of their semi-final clash on Saturday, but is adamant that there's no comparison between the two New Zealanders.

'Julian is playing very good rugby, with eight tries in four games. I enjoy watching him, and he is a difficult customer and I know it's going to be a tough challenge to mark him,' Pietersen said. 'But I don't think you can compare him to Lomu because Lomu did something that no one has ever done.

'Julian is a great player in his own right and whatever he does, he does well, but Lomu was a destructive force that got to 15 World Cup tries in just two campaigns.'

Pietersen admits that he'll have to play above himself to keep Savea in check come Saturday.

'He is strong in contact, good under the high ball and he can also kick. So I will have to be at my absolute best to contain him. But you live for challenges and on Saturday we'll both bring our best games and it should be a good battle. He will certainly bring the best out of me.'

Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images