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Returning Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper will line up in Pretoria looking to take his first steps towards the Rugby World Cup, but it’s his rookie rival Manie Libbok who is expecting to be under the most pressure.
The pair are separated by 10 years and 73 matches, with 25-year-old Libbok lining up for his first Test start when the teams open the Rugby Championship on Saturday (Sunday 1.05am AEST).
Cooper has had limited game time in Japan since rupturing his Achilles in a Test against Argentina almost a year ago but appears to be the Wallabies’ first choice at 10 for this year’s World Cup in France.
Although he missed the South Africa games in last year’s Rugby Championship, Cooper broke Springbok hearts on the Gold Coast in 2021 when he booted seven penalties including a match-winner after fulltime for a 28-26 scoreline.
He was five-eighth in the most recent Wallabies Test played in Pretoria, in 2016, when the Australians fell 18-10 – one of just five current squad members remaining from that line-up.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The 35-year-old will bring a cool, mature head to the Loftus Versfeld cauldron, where Australia have never won in seven Tests stretching back to 1963.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones joked the No.10’s “zen” calmness wouldn’t wash at the famous ground, where more than 50,000 are expected to roar on the reigning world champions.
Nonetheless, Jones has been impressed with Cooper’s contribution to the squad since his return from injury, including his work with uncapped playmaker Carter Gordon, who has been named on the bench.
“I don’t think zen operates in Pretoria – it’s more brandy and Coke up there,” Jones said.
“But he’s come back into the squad and he’s an experienced player now, added his knowledge.
“And particularly watching him work with Carter, who has continued to impress as well.
“I know we’ll get a good 80 minutes out of that 10 position.”
With World Cup-winning Handre Pollard out with a calf injury, Libbok will have his first start in the No.10 jersey after three Tests off the bench.
The 25-year-old is expecting the Wallabies to put a target on his back.
“(Starting against Australia) is a big opportunity for me,” Libbok told reporters.
“There will be massive pressure on me in this game but I just want to go out there and contribute in my role as much as possible, and hopefully we can get the desired result.
“I know they’ll target me, but I’ve made peace with that, and the pressure.
“I’ve taken a lot of confidence from my preparation for this match … I’ll have a few experienced players around me, which is also a bonus.”
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said the Jones factor could play a significant role.
“A Test against Australia is always big,” said Stick on Saturday. “The match was sold out a long time ago, and the boys are excited. So it’s going to be a big game.
“They have a strong team and they’ll be up for it. We’ve tried to analyse them and we know what we’ve looked at won’t be 100 percent correct because Eddie [Jones] can take the players to dark places to get the best out of them.
“Having been involved with the Springboks in 2007 he also knows South Africa’s strengths, so we are expecting to face a team that is highly motivated and who will want to impress Eddie.
“They’ll come to Pretoria wanting to change history.”
Stick added the hosts were up for this as well, with World Cup squad places up for grabs.
“There’s a big feeling of excitement in the squad, especially with it being a World Cup year. The balance of youth and experience in this team excites me, and there are some guys coming back from injury. So, I like what I’m seeing.
“That said, we know if we are not at our best, it could be a long day because this is a good Australian side and they have a lot of experienced players in the squad,” he added.
Springboks skipper for the day, Duane Vermeulen said: “We have to be adaptable.
“We have our plan, and they’ll have theirs, but we’ll have to see how things play out and make plans accordingly. It will come down to us stopping what they bring.”
On being handed the captain’s armband, Vermeulen said: “It’s unbelievable to have the honour of leading a Springbok team, and we’ll go out there and give our best. There are a few players in the team that have captained their club or franchise teams, so we can make decisions together.
“My thing is, I want to contribute as much as I can. If it’s on the pitch and playing, or if it’s off the pitch supporting the guys and helping the younger guys coming through.
“If I can be a part of this squad, it’s the best feeling in the world for me. That’s my personal view. Everyone has their own view about it.
“I would love to contribute in any way that I can and for as long as I can. If I am a player or if not, that’s up to the guys who make the decisions.”
© AAP
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