Australia (7/2 World Cup outright) coach Robbie Deans has described flanker David Pocock’s performance as ‘immense’ after his side beat South Africa 11-9 in the quarter finals of the World Cup.

The openside was instrumental in his side’s victory, stifling his South African counterparts at the breakdown, setting-up a mouthwatering toe against Antipodean neighbours New Zealand in Auckland next Sunday (Australia 12/5, draw 20/1, New Zealand 4/11).

Much was made of the clash between Pocock and his Springbok opponent Heinrich Brussouw, but the Western Force star came out on top and Deans was understandably full of praise for his starman.

“He was immense,” Deans said. “David Pocock’s game was remarkable, and it was bigger than he got credit for.

“The world is blessed with some very good snafflers at the moment, and no doubt people will be looking forward to next week, to that end.”

Deans also believes that his side’s match against Peter De Villers side was one of the best in Rugby World Cup history, adding that he only expects the standard to get higher in the semis and the final.

Deans said: “I have got no doubt that the next couple of weeks will be the best World Cup rugby that we’ve ever seen.

“The bar just keeps going up in terms of the capability of the sides.”