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Quade Cooper leads Australia to famous win over South Africa on return to Test rugby

Charles Richardson
·24-min read
Quade Cooper leads Australia to famous win over South Africa on return to Test rugby - SHUTTERSTOCK
Quade Cooper leads Australia to famous win over South Africa on return to Test rugby - SHUTTERSTOCK

Quade Cooper had a perfect night with the boot and kicked Australia to victory with a penalty goal after the full-time siren to complete a 28-26 upset over World Cup champions South Africa on Sunday.

Cooper was a surprising selection to face the Springboks for his first Test since 2017 after Australia were swept by New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup, which also counted as the first two games of the Rugby Championship.

The mercurial fly half didn't miss an opportunity. The 33-year-old Cooper landed six penalties and a conversion at 100% accuracy for 23 points, leading Australia to their first win of the tournament.

The Springboks were coming off a series win over the British and Irish Lions and back-to-back wins over Argentina in South Africa and had rallied from an eight-point deficit in the second half to lead the Wallabies 26-25 going into the final minutes.

But they don't win often in Australia's northeastern Queensland state, and were undone by some uncharacteristic missed place kicks. Handre Pollard missed three and Damian Willemse was unable to convert from near the sideline in the 73rd minute.

Both teams had to grind in an attritional game that featured four yellow cards — two for each team.

Australia led 19-11 at halftime, with Cooper contributing 14 points via three penalty goals and a conversion.

Pollard and Cooper exchanged penalties to make it 6-6 before momentum shifted when Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi was yellow carded in the 16th minute for a dangerous tackle on Australian fullback Tom Banks.

The Australians scored quickly with the one-man advantage as Samu Kerevi made a break in the midfield and floated a pass to Andrew Kellaway, who stepped inside the defense on the right wing.

Pollard missed a goal in the 22nd and South Africa missed another scoring chance four minutes later when center Am Lukhanyo knocked-on in the tackle of Australian scrumhalf Tate McDermott after chasing a kick into the in-goal area.

After being repelled in repeated phases on the tryline, South Africa capitalized in the 28th after Australian lock Matt Philip was yellow carded for collapsing a rolling maul. Hooker Bongi Mbonambi dived over from the back of a driving maul to make it 13-11, but Pollard missed the conversion.

Cooper added two penalties before the break and Pollard missed another shot at goal early in the second half before Pollard landed a penalty from in front to close the gap to 19-14 in the 46th.

Cooper restored Australia's eight-point cushion with a penalty in the 53rd after Pollard was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on out wide with the Wallabies on attack.

But the Springboks scored two more tries via replacement hooker Malcom Marx from close-range mauls and appeared to have the edge until the late penalty.

New Zealand leads the Rugby Championship with 15 points from three big wins. The next double header is in Brisbane next Saturday, when Australia and South Africa meeting in a rematch and New Zealand playing Argentina again.

Australia's player Quade Cooper in action during the Rugby Championship Round 3 match between South Africa's Springboks and Australia's Wallabies at CBus Stadium, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia - SHUTTERSTOCK
Australia's player Quade Cooper in action during the Rugby Championship Round 3 match between South Africa's Springboks and Australia's Wallabies at CBus Stadium, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia - SHUTTERSTOCK
Match details

South Africa: le Roux, Nkosi, Am, de Allende, Mapimpi, Pollard, de Klerk, Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, De Jager, Kolisi, Mostert, Vermeulen. Replacements: Marx, Nche, Koch, van Staden, Smith, Wiese, H. Jantjies, Willemse.

Australia: Banks, Kellaway, Ikitau, Kerevi, Koroibete, Cooper, McDermott, Bell, Fainga'a, Alaalatoa, Rodda, Philip, Swinton, Hooper, Valetini. Replacements: Kaitu'u, Slipper, Tupou, Leota, Samu, White, Hodge, Petaia.

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)

12:31 PM

The winning moment

12:17 PM

In reference to Cooper being denied Australian citizenship earlier this year

12:15 PM

Michael Hooper speaks post-match to Sky

It's a great bounce-back. It's great to play these guys - it's been two years.

We try and talk about a lot of things that could happen at the end of the game so the decision was clear. But that was right on the end of his distance but he's a big time player and he said, 'nah, I got it'.

We know these guys are going to come hard again next week.

12:13 PM

This was South Africa's modus operandi

But it wasn't enough!

12:11 PM

Full-time: RSA 26 AUS 28

That's it.

What a moment for Quade Cooper. And it was completely deserved for Australia, too.

12:09 PM

PEN COOPER RSA 26 AUS 28

They've done it!

Australia win!

12:08 PM

80 mins: RSA 26 AUS 25

Penalty Australia!

It's a massive Wallaby shove and Wiese has to play it at the back. But the No 8 is isolated and White is over the ball to win a holding-on penalty!

Cooper goes for posts, wide on the right, 40 metres out. It's a similar position from where he kicked a penalty earlier in the half...

12:07 PM

79 mins: RSA 26 AUS 25

It's a big scrum from both sides and the ball seems to get stuck at the feet of Wiese. White puts the pressure on but the Springboks No 8 just about does enough.

South Africa run down the clock with the close-range stuff. There's a Wallaby knock-on, too, so South Africa will put-in to the scrum. One final chance...

12:03 PM

77 mins: RSA 26 AUS 25

Time running out for Australia as they launch an attack from halfway.

Kerevi has been magnificent this afternoon, and he is once again the principle source of all of Australia's attacking energy as they drive into the Springboks' half.

But the South African defence is characteristically aggressive, repelling waves of Aussie attacks.

There's a chance! Hooper streaks clear and he has a two on one with Hodge. He feeds his wing but Willemse drifts cleverly in defence and puts a massive tackle in on the wing, who spills.

Was that the moment?

11:59 AM

MISSED CON WILLEMSE RSA 26 AUS 25

Willemse misses the conversion by a mile.

So, we have a one-point game again. There are six minutes remaining for the Wallabies to find something.

11:58 AM

TRY MARX RSA 26 AUS 25

As sure as night follows day, Marx dots down on the back on a driving maul.

Heartbreaking for the Wallabies; South Africa take a slender lead.

11:56 AM

71 mins: RSA 21 AUS 25

Carnage!

More penalty advantage for South Africa, but they play it and ship the ball out to Nkosi.

He is well marshalled into touch, but he flings the ball back in field to Le Roux, who is also bundled into touch, but the full-back does get the ball down.

But he's out of play before the grounding, so there's no try, but they're going back for the penalty - which Willemse will stick into the corner.

11:54 AM

71 mins: RSA 21 AUS 25

De Jager took an almighty clout during that passage - so he's off for a HIA.

Willemse - on for Pollard - kicks the penalty to the 22 and, guess what, that Bokke maul is rolling.

It's another penalty for an Aussie maul infringement - back to the corner South Africa go...

11:51 AM

69 mins: RSA 21 AUS 25

Majestic from Kwagga Smith - although, was he on his feet?

Australia break following a delicious offload from Kerevi to Samu, but he gets himself a little isolated as he streaks away.

Smith gets over the ball and wins the holding-on penalty on halfway, but it looked a little suspect.

11:49 AM

68 mins: RSA 21 AUS 25

It's another win for Australia.

Although South Africa win a penalty at the scrum, the lineout from the ensuing kick is held up superbly by the Wallabies, with Rodda at the fore.

Australia will put into a scrum just inside their 10-metre line.

11:45 AM

66 mins: RSA 21 AUS 25

More intelligence from Australia, namely Cooper.

Nkosi cannot claim the Garryowen and Cooper puts a probing kick down to the South Africa 22. It stands up awkwardly for Pollard, who tries to play it, but he's under immense pressure from Petaia and his attempted pass to Mapimpi flies into touch.

But... disaster! Kerevi knocks on at first receiver from the lineout. South Africa scrum.

11:43 AM

PEN COOPER RSA 21 AUS 25

What a strike!

That's sublime from Cooper off the tee, and Australia have a four-point lead with 17 minutes remaining.

Le Roux returns from the sin-bin for South Africa; Australia have four minutes remaining on theirs.

11:41 AM

62 mins: RSA 21 AUS 22

Penalty to Australia after some attacking phase-play on halfway.

Wiese does not release the tackled player before competing for the ball.

Cooper is having a very speculative shot at goal; from a long way out and wide on the right.

This would really be something.

11:39 AM

CON POLLARD RSA 21 AUS 22

We have a one-point game!

11:38 AM

TRY MARX RSA 19 AUS 22

Inevitable.

The South African maul juggernaut gets moving against a Wallaby pack missing a man, and the replacement hooker touches down.

11:38 AM

YELLOW CARD FAINGA'A RSA 14 AUS 22

It's a high degree of danger, Pearce judges, in the no-arms tackle and the Wallaby hooker leaves the field.

11:35 AM

58 mins: RSA 14 AUS 22

Pollard puts a huge bomb into the air and Mapimpi climbs highest deep in Australian territory.

Am collects the ricocheted ball on the follow-up and South Africa are 10 metres from the Wallaby line.

Fainga'a is penalised for a no-arms tackle and Pearce wants to look at this upstairs...

11:33 AM

57 mins: RSA 14 AUS 22

Tupou, one of the world's most dynamic tightheads, is on now for the Wallabies.

He'll be into the action immediately from the South African lineout, which they win after an offside penalty against Australia.

11:32 AM

55 mins: RSA 14 AUS 22

Australia make another hash of the restart and South Africa get motoring. Koch, Marx and Wiese - all now on - carry like rhinos but the Wallabies stand firm.

And Hooper, the trojan, is over the ball, winning a holding-on penalty for his side.

Kolisi departs now, too, with Van Staden on.

11:28 AM

PEN COOPER RSA 14 AUS 22

Another easy strike for Quade, and the Wallabies' lead is now eight.

Plus South Africa will play the next 10 minutes with 14.

11:27 AM

YELLOW CARD LE ROUX RSA 14 AUS 19

Call me Mystic Charles.

It is a yellow for Le Roux, but there's no penalty try as there was plenty of South Africa cover.

Cooper to go to the posts to stretch the lead to eight.

11:26 AM

52 mins: RSA 14 AUS 19

We are going upstairs here after a couple of phases of Wallaby attack in the South Africa 22.

Willie Le Roux looks to have deliberately knocked on. I'm not sure it's a penalty try, but it might be a yellow...

11:24 AM

52 mins: RSA 14 AUS 19

More kicking from the Springboks (shock!) results in a Wallabies scrum on halfway.

And we have a 50:22 from White!! The first of the Rugby Championship! End the game! Retire the ball!

It's a beauty of a strike. Kerevi crashes up in midfield on halfway and White nonchalantly dinks it into an acre of space in the Springboks 22, with the ball rolling into touch.

Australia to throw in!

11:22 AM

49 mins: RSA 14 AUS 19

Yep, penalty reversed for a no-arms tackle, so Pollard kicks the penalty downfield to give South Africa a lineout just inside their own half.

De Klerk skews the box-kick from the lineout and, in truth, that's a bit of a waste from the Springboks. The Wallabies will throw in on halfway - but De Jager pilfers it!

11:20 AM

47 mins: RSA 14 AUS 19

Mostert is penalised for sealing the ball off straight from the restart.

But Pearce is going up to the TMO to check a no-arms tackle from Swinton on Etzebeth.

11:18 AM

PEN POLLARD RSA 14 AUS 19

That's more like it from the South African fly-half.

And the gap is now just five points.

11:17 AM

46 mins: RSA 11 AUS 19

De Jager takes the lineout on the Australia 22 - and South Africa get that locomotive maul up and running.

They eventually unleash the backs, however, with De Allende carrying hard in midfield.

Cooper is penalised for not rolling away and Pollard will have an easy shot at goal to stop his mini goal-kicking rot.

11:16 AM

44 mins: RSA 11 AUS 19

Pollard hits the post!

And Kerevi, ever the magician, hoists Australia out of trouble before Cooper thunders a clearance downfield.

But it's a penalty to South Africa, with the Wallabies a touch too alacritous as they clatter into De Klerk at the back of a ruck. A tight call.

11:14 AM

42 mins: RSA 11 AUS 19

It's almost a disastrous start for Australia as they cough up possession from the restart.

South Africa look to exploit but the accuracy isn't quite there, and we'll restart with a scrum inside the Wallabies 22.

Penalty South Africa! That's a statement!

White is on for McDermott at scrum-half, incidentally.

11:12 AM

That scrum

I have been trawling through social media to try and find you a clip of Bell's mammoth shove against Malherbe at the end of the first half, winning a penalty and three points for his side - bur I cannot, and I'm sorry!

Anyway, the sides are back out and we are ready to get back under way.

10:58 AM

Half-time: RSA 11 AUS 19

For the first time in 2021, Australia lead at half-time.

And it's an eight-point lead against the world champions, too. And it's deserved.

What a moment at the end of half-time, too, with the Wallabies attacking South Africa at one of their perceived strengths.

10:56 AM

PEN COOPER RSA 11 AUS 19

Again, it's meat and drink for Cooper.

10:56 AM

40 mins: RSA 11 AUS 16

What a shove from the Aussies!

Bell has just marmelised Malherbe - who got a little high - and Australia win a penalty in front of the Springboks sticks on the stroke of half-time.

10:54 AM

South Africa's lineout try

10:54 AM

38 mins: RSA 11 AUS 16

Really punchy attacking play from Australia, with Hooper bursting through the middle of the South African defence before linking up with Valentini, who takes the Wallabies into the Springboks' 22.

McDermott and Banks switch close to the ruck as Australia get to the five-metre line, but Alaalatoa cannot take the next pass and South Africa survive, albeit with a five-metre scrum.

10:51 AM

36 mins: RSA 11 AUS 16

A great lineout steal from Rodda allows the Wallabies to kick downfield and search for some possession.

Le Roux calls the mark before clearing downfield. Australia go quickly and kick again, before South Africa attack, with Koroibete bundling them into touch.

The Wallabies win a penalty from the resulting lineout and clear into the South Africa half under no pressure.

10:48 AM

PEN COOPER RSA 11 AUS 16

A Test fly-half could kick those with their eyes closed, and now Australia's lead is five.

Not a terrible sin-bin period thus far; losing 5-3.

10:46 AM

33 mins: RSA 11 AUS 13

And the Wallabies have a chance to respond immediately, as they win a penalty on halfway which Cooper kicks down to 10 metres from the Springboks line.

The Wallabies use Koroibete as a battering ram first phase, and a brave Pollard tackle just about fells him.

South Africa stray offside and Hooper points to the sticks.

10:44 AM

MISSED CON POLLARD RSA 11 AUS 13

That's two misses on the bounce now for the South Africa fly-half.

And the Wallabies retain a slender lead.

10:43 AM

TRY MBONAMBI RSA 11 AUS 13

No prizes for guessing what South Africa do next. Lineout, maul, try.

The Springboks throw to Mostert at the tail and there's nothing the seven-man Wallaby pack can do.

10:41 AM

That Australia try

10:40 AM

YELLOW CARD PHILIP RSA 6 AUS 13

That South Africa maul gets motoring again and, just as it gets close to the line, Philip brings it down.

He goes to the bin, and now Pearce is looking whether it's a penalty try...

10:39 AM

27 mins: RSA 6 AUS 13

Australia go early again at the lineout but the Springboks play the advantage,

Pollard puts a lethal grubber beyond the Australia line and Am collects, but McDermott does just enough to put off the South Africa centre as he knocks on over the line, where it seemed easier to score.

We go back for the lineout penalty.

10:38 AM

25 mins: RSA 6 AUS 13

Australia, primarily McDermott, work the short side incisively but Swinton is penalised for sealing off for the Wallabies - again.

Pollard kicks up to the 22, and the Wallabies are too early to attack the Springboks maul in the resulting lineout, so Pollard drives his side even closer to the Australian line.

10:34 AM

23 mins: RSA 6 AUS 13

Pollard cannot convert the opportunity so Australia maintain their seven-point lead.

10:33 AM

22 mins: RSA 6 AUS 13

After some kicking tests, South Africa put into a scrum on halfway.

Pollard crashes up from first receiver but the Springbok momentum is halted.

De Klerk nudges the ball downfield and Koroibete returns menacingly, but when he's felled Vermeulen is glue-like over the ball to win the holding-on penalty.

Pollard will go for goal, wide on the right.

10:28 AM

CON COOPER RSA 6 AUS 13

It's a seven-pointer for the Wallabies as Cooper adds the extras.

10:27 AM

TRY KELLAWAY RSA 6 AUS 11

Talk about striking while the iron's hot.

That's a cracking try from the Wallabies from the lineout. Kerevi at the forefront, with a half-break, exploiting gaps in the South African defence.

He chucks a very flat pass out to Kellaway - backwards out the hands, it seems - who steps off his right foot to beat the covering Springbok defence and score.

10:26 AM

YELLOW CARD KOLISI RSA 6 AUS 6

Yep, the South Africa captain will be spending 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Correct call from Pearce, who has made a fine start, incidentally.

10:24 AM

16 mins: RSA 6 AUS 6

Tempers flare!

Kolisi picks up Banks and he looks as if he's gone over the horizontal in the tackle.

Pearce blows immediately for a penalty to Australia. There's some pushing and shoving, and we are going upstairs to check the tackle.

I think the Springboks captain might be seeing yellow here...

10:22 AM

PEN COOPER RSA 6 AUS 6

Two nice strikes from the respective goal-kickers and we are back level after 15 minutes.

10:22 AM

13 mins: RSA 6 AUS 3

Australia have a chance for an immediate riposte, however.

A cute kick from Quade - shades of 2011 there - and Mapimpi drops on the ball but Ikitau is all over him and wins a holding-on penalty in the South Africa 22.

Cooper for goal...

10:21 AM

PEN POLLARD RSA 6 AUS 3

Another decent strike from the Springbok, and his side regain the lead.

10:19 AM

11 mins: RSA 3 AUS 3

That's a tone-setter.

First scrum of the game to South Africa on the 22, and a mighty Springbok shove follows, and they win the penalty.

Pollard will go to the posts again; from wide on the left this time, however.

10:17 AM

PEN COOPER RSA 3 AUS 3

A sweet strike from Cooper, and Australia's account if up and running.

10:16 AM

8 mins: RSA 3 AUS 0

Australia negate the South African lineout threat astutely by getting to the mark and speedily chucking in.

Kerevi carries hard in midfield off first phase and Australia win a penalty, 45 metres out, for not rolling away.

Cooper goes for goal...

10:13 AM

PEN POLLARD RSA 3 AUS 0

Australia just about secure the lineout but the exit misfires, and the Wallabies are pinged for a sealing off offence directly beneath their own posts.

Pollard has the easiest attempt at the posts.

10:12 AM

4 mins: RSA 0 AUS 0

Kellaway clears for Australia before Mapimpi bludgeons his way through a couple of defenders.

South Africa manage to reclaim the ball from an attacking Garryowen, before De Klerk dinks a silky box-kick into the Australia 22.

The Wallabies will throw into the lineout 10 metres from their line.

10:11 AM

2 mins: RSA 0 AUS 0

A breathless start, with Cooper getting his mitts on the ball early with a hefty collision with Mapimpi.

Le Roux allows everyone to suck in some oxygen as he slides the ball into touch inside the Wallaby half.

10:08 AM

We are under way

Quade Cooper kicks off on his return to international rugby!

10:05 AM

Talking points

There are plenty. Quade Cooper's miraculous return; Duane Vermeulen's return; how bad the Wallabies are (only time will tell); how excellent the Springboks are (ditto)...

What I will say is, if Australia produce some thrilling rugby today to put South Africa to the sword (unlikely), then it wouldn't say much for the Lions' approach to their series loss.

09:58 AM

In case you missed it

Earlier on, Ruthless New Zealand hammered sloppy Argentina in the day's first of two matches in the Rugby Championship double-header on the Gold Coast.

You can catch up on that match by clicking here.

New Zealand's Luke Jacobson, right, is congratulated by teammates TJ Perenara and Sevu Reece after scoring a try against Argentina during their Rugby Championship match on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, on the Gold Coast, Australia - AP
New Zealand's Luke Jacobson, right, is congratulated by teammates TJ Perenara and Sevu Reece after scoring a try against Argentina during their Rugby Championship match on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, on the Gold Coast, Australia - AP

09:40 AM

Team news

South Africa: le Roux, Nkosi, Am, de Allende, Mapimpi, Pollard, de Klerk, Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, De Jager, Kolisi, Mostert, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Marx, Nche, Koch, van Staden, Smith, Wiese, H. Jantjies, Willemse.

Australia: Banks, Kellaway, Ikitau, Kerevi, Koroibete, Cooper, McDermott, Bell, Fainga'a, Alaalatoa, Rodda, Philip, Swinton, Hooper, Valetini.
Replacements: Kaitu'u, Slipper, Tupou, Leota, Samu, White, Hodge, Petaia.

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)

08:35 AM

A must-win game for Australia

Three thumping losses to the All Blacks have captain Michael Hooper and his Australia lineup in a position where they simply have to start winning to regain any confidence.

The Rugby Championship isn't going to get easier any time soon for the Wallabies. Next up are the World Cup champions.

Hooper's lineup faces South Africa in the second match of a doubleheader on the Gold Coast. New Zealand and Argentina kicked off the four-week run of doubleheaders in Australia's Queensland state earlier today.

"We wouldn't want it any other way . . . we want to be playing these type of games," Hooper said after the Australian team's captain's run on Saturday. "That's going to really help our trajectory."

Hooper is set to equal George Gregan's record of 59 tests as Wallabies captain when he leads Australia onto the field against South Africa. A text message from Gregan earlier this week brought a smile to his face, he said, but the milestone doesn't change anything in Hooper's approach to the job at hand.

"We've got to keep our mindset strong and (our) belief in what we're trying to do," Hooper said. "Sometimes when you play a really slick outfit like New Zealand, and what we're about to face, you've got to be strong in what we're trying to achieve. Not reactive."

Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber picked his strongest tight five and also included six forwards among the reserves — three of them loose forwards — in a 6-2 split.

No. 8 Duane Vermeulen will return from injury to start for the Springboks for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi said the backup guaranteed there'd be full intensity from the start, with speed at the breakdown and nullifying Hooper's influence as the keys.

"We've got nothing to hold back because there's somebody who can come on at any time," Kolisi said. "Anyone can start in this squad — you know if you have an off day, somebody else will take the opportunity."

Nienaber made seven changes to the starting XV and 13 changes in all to the 23-man squad that beat Argentina in South Africa's previous game. The Springboks opened the Rugby Championship with two wins over Argentina while also resting some frontline players following the series win over the British and Irish Lions.

Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk is returning to partner flyhalf Handre Pollard, but Cheslin Kolbe was injured in training this week and will be replaced by Sbu Nkosi on the right wing.

The Wallabies have a good idea of what to expect from South Africa, which relies on a pinpoint kicking game to maintain field position and keep the scoreboard moving, and a giant forward pack to physically dominate.

Australia coach Dave Rennie is throwing something a little bit different back, calling up 33-year-old Quade Cooper at flyhalf for his first test start since 2017.

Cooper, who has been playing club rugby in Japan, will replace Noah Lolesio in the playmaker role. Among other areas of concern, the Australians struggled for backline cohesion as they were swept 3-0 by New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup series — the second and third matches doubled as Rugby Championship contests.

"It's very exciting. He's got such a unique story (and) such a quality player when he's on," Hooper said. "He's been a really positive influence on the group, really assisting some of the younger players and working on his own craft.

"He's the right selection for the game this week. Everyone is pretty pumped to see him out there."

Australia and South Africa haven't met since 2019, with the Springboks missing the Rugby Championship in 2020 because of restrictions in place during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The South Africans have lost only one of their last six tests against Australia, but assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said it was the Springboks away record in head-to-heads, particularly Australia's 11-1 record in Queensland state since 1993, that would be the focus of attention today.

"If we want to see growth in our side, we need to be able to travel and win away from home," Stick said. "It's the first game on tour. It's important for us to start well."

From AP