South Africa v Australia predictions and rugby union tips

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Sunday's Rugby Championship game between South Africa and Australia.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Mix, 11.05am Sunday

Best bet

South Africa to win by one to 12 points
1pt 9-5 Betfred

Match preview

The last time Quade Cooper ran out as a Wallaby against South Africa he suffered a narrow eight-point defeat and a similar outcome is likely when he makes his return to the international stage.

Australia have turned to Cooper after a disappointing start to their Rugby Championship campaign, losing back-to-back matches against New Zealand in comprehensive fashion during a Bledisloe Cup whitewash by the All Blacks.

Cooper comes in at fly-half for his first appearance since 2017 as one of three changes made by head coach Dave Rennie in an attempt to get his rebuild of the Australia team back on track.

The Wallabies played promisingly in the first Test of the Bledisloe series but were second best in subsequent meetings and must now deal with the might of South Africa.

The Springboks were last in action three weeks ago when brushing aside Argentina for a second successive Test to maintain their 100 per cent start to the Rugby Championship.

The world champions have been ruthlessly efficient on home soil this summer but are out on the road now with the remainder of the Rugby Championship to be played in Australia, a country where South Africa have not won a Test match in their last 11 attempts.

Coach Jacques Nienaber has brought back the big guns in the hope of ending that winless run, making seven changes for the Gold Coast clash including the recall of Duane Vermeulen to the back row.

The Boks show no signs of altering their much-maligned but successful gameplan and that will lead to an intriguing clash of styles between the teams as Cooper's inclusion suggests Australia will play some expansive rugby.

Fortune doesn't always favour the brave against South Africa's suffocating defence and they are likely to rack up a fifth straight win but Cooper, who has won nine of 14 previous Tests against the Springboks, could work his magic to keep the scoreline respectable.

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