San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has praised Colin Kaepernick for inspiring victory against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

The 26-year-old quaterback was instrumental in seeing the Niners into the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs, throwing 227 yards and one touchdown pass, as well as making three incisive runs to set up scoring drives.

"He answers in the clutch time of the game, in the important down, when it matters most," Harbaugh told reporters. "He's Kaepernick tough. It's pretty awesome.

"There wasn't a whole lot called out there today. Our receivers were getting grabbed. And I think Colin saw that and just took matters into his own hands.

"Colin Kaepernick, I think we can all agree, is a clutch performer. It's not his first time doing this."

A trip to the Carolina Panthers awaits the 49ers in the Divisional round.