Quade Cooper returned to the Australian squad after a break of four years and stole multiple headlines as Australia won 28-26 over the current champions, South Africa. The South Africans started with a three-nil score courtesy of a penalty by Pollard, however, Cooper straightaway replied by nailing a penalty for the Australians. Then Pollard once again scored after hitting a curler but once Cooper kicked one home to tie the game. Then Australia extended the advantage to 13-6.
Then a Mbonambi touchdown curbed the lead to 11-13. Cooper continued his red-hot return and secured a lead of 19-11. Pollard cut the lead to five points again after the beginning of the second half. Cooper extended Wallabies’ advantage to 22-14 but then South Africans mauled them through lineouts and ultimately grabbed a 26-25 lead. However, a failed tackle by the Springboks at the siren meant that Australians had a chance to win the game with a penalty. Quade obliged again and sealed a victory for the Australians. This is a huge win for the Wallabies as they have lost to New Zealand three times in just one month.
