Quade Cooper will again wear the No 10 jersey for Australia in their Rugby Championship clash with South Africa. Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Cooper slots last-gasp penalty to give Wallabies win over Springboks

Returning flyhalf Quade Cooper showed nerves of steel to slot a late penalty to give Australia a 28-26 over the Springboks.

by James Richardson

12-09-2021 14:19

in Rugby

Quade Cooper will again wear the No 10 jersey for Australia in their Rugby Championship clash with South Africa. Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Quade Cooper showed nerves of steel to slot a late penalty to give Australia a 28-26 over the Springboks.

Cooper snatches victory

Handre Pollard and Cooper traded penalties early doors, with both kickers punishing mistakes. After 15 minutes, it was 6-6.

A soft yelllow card for Springbok Skipper Siya Kolisi changed the nature of the game and soon after Andrew Kellaway crossed to score the first try of the match.

Pollard had a chance to narrow the gap but missed a long-range penalty goal attempt.

Brilliant defence from Tate McDermott prevented Lukhanyo Am from scoring but the Springboks kept the Wallabies under the cosh and after Matt Philip was sent to the bin for bringing down a maul, the visitors powered over with Bongi Mbonambi grounding the ball after another powerful maul.

Australia managed to mitigate the damage of the card putting the Springboks under pressure and kicking a penalty goal that followed to make it 16-11 in the hosts favour with seven minutes to play in the first half.

A scrumtime penalty allowed Cooper to give the Wallabies an eight-point lead at the break.

The Springboks struck first in the second half with their dominant maul allowing them to win a penalty which Pollard slotted to narrow the contest once again.

Willie Le Roux made things tougher for the Springboks when he went into the bin after going for an intercept and failing to gather.

Folau Fainga’a would follow Le Roux into the bin after he committed a dangerous tackle with the Boks pressing. From the ensuing penalty a lineout was set up and the Springboks mauled over with Malcolm Marx scoring. With the conversion slotted it was a 1-point game with an hour played.

Jasper Wiese was too enthusiastic in his efforts to get the ball which allowed Cooper to slot another penalty and make it 25-21 in the Wallabies favour.

Under immense pressure the Wallabies finally surrendered the lead as the Springboks mauled over yet again, and Marx again came up with the ball. Damian Willemse, on for Pollard, missed the conversion which left the Springboks leading by just one.

With time up on the clock Cooper had a kick to win the game for Australia after the Springboks botched their scrum.

The ten points the Springboks lost due to missed kicks would hurt them in the end.

TEAMS: AUSTRALIA VS SPRINGBOKS

Australia (15-1)

Tom Banks; Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete; Quade Cooper, Tate McDermott; Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper (capt), Lachlan Swinton; Matt Philip, Izack Rodda; Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, Angus Bell.

Replacements: Feleti Kaitu’u, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Nic White, Reece Hodge, Jordan Petaia

South Africa (15-1)

Willie le Roux; Sbu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Duane Vermeulen, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (capt); Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Herschel Jantjies, Damian Willemse.