Veteran fly-half Quade Cooper to make his return for the Wallabies against South Africa

Eddie Jones has selected his side for his return Test in charge of the Wallabies since being appointed as national coach for a second time in January.

Quade Cooper is back for the Wallabies. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Star fly-half Quade Cooper will make his Wallabies return in the opening Rugby Championship clash against South Africa, while Brumbies flanker Tom Hooper has been given a Test debut.

Cooper, who hasn’t played for the Wallabies since rupturing his achilles tendon in August last year against Argentina, will partner Nic White in the halves when Australia takes on the Springboks in Pretoria on Sunday morning (AEST).

In Eddie Jones’s return match in charge of Australia after being appointed in January for a second stint, Hooper, 22, will debut, while the bench includes three other potential debutants – Reds prop Zane Nonggorr, Rebels playmaker Carter Gordon and 33-year-old France-based lock Richie Arnold.

The bench also includes bustling centre Samu Kerevi, who is set for an international return after suffering a serious knee injury while representing Australia in rugby sevens at last year’s Commonwealth Games.

“There’s a little bit more he needs to do to be ready to start, but certainly he’ll make a massive contribution off the bench foe us,” Jones said.

Jones’s side also includes former Melbourne Storm NRL premiership-winning winger Suliasi Vunivalu.

Tom Hooper has been selected to make his Wallabies debut. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Having fallen out of favour with previous Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, Vunivalu will make just his second Test appearance.

“I’ve seen him develop some really good habits in Super Rugby,” Jones said.

“When he’s come in and trained with us for the last two or three weeks, every session he’s got a little bit better.

“He’s an exceptional player, strong in the air, big guy, got good pace ... I’ve got no doubt he’s going to do a good job for us.”

Another former Storm star, 2022 John Eales medallist Marika Koroibete, will be Australia’s other winger.

Len Ikitau and experienced backline utility Reece Hodge will partner up in the centres, with Tom Wright to start at fullback.

The Wallabies, who are co-captained by prop James Slipper and open side flanker Michael Hooper, are chasing their maiden win in Pretoria against the Springboks.

“As a squad, the players have worked extremely hard since coming together as a group and we’ve prepared well this week,” Jones said.

“The 23 players selected have an opportunity to be part of history with a win over South Africa in Pretoria.”

Slipper will be joined in the front-row by Waratahs hooker David Porecki and Brumbies tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa.

Locks Nick Frost and Will Skelton will both start a Test in South Africa for the first time.

Wallabies: James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Tom Hooper, Michael Hooper, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Len Ikitau, Suliasi Vunivalu, Tom Wright. Bench: Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon, Zane Nonggorr, Richie Arnold, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Samu Kerevi, Carter Gordon.