Elia Tuqiri puts faith in fullback-come-flyhalf, Jason Hoffmeyr, after Quade Cooper sidelined – Michael Atkinson reports.

When Souths skipper and 70-test Wallaby Quade Cooper left the field in the first half against Wests with a hamstring injury, astute Rugby judges knew it would prove the real challenge of the Magpies’ premiership credentials.

Without Cooper pulling the strings and providing his teammates with the immeasurable quality of confidence, Elia Tuqiri’s men were presented with their biggest test of the season.

Up stepped Jason Hofmeyr.

The talented, South African-raised player filled the Super Rugby Championship winner’s shoes with aplomb; guiding Souths to a 33-31 victory – their fourth from four games in 2018.

The value of the recruitment of the former Dragon to Chipsy Wood Oval will be seen this weekend when he pulls on the number 10 in the black and white jersey to face Bond University – his first start in the playmaker’s role, with Cooper ruled out for at least one week.

But what people don’t know, is Hofmeyr was originally meant to be Souths’ first-choice fly-half, before Quade returned to club footy.

“He trialled there, at 10,” Souths coach Elia Tuqiri told Rugby News.

“So, before we knew Quade was coming we were looking at Jason as our 10, so he spent all his time there in the preseason.”

The arrival of Cooper was bitter pill to swallow, initially, for Hofmeyr.

“At the time, I was really up and down, because I had a good couple of trial games and (the Souths coaches) were really happy with my progression and fitting the game plan that Elia wanted to play,” the 26-year old revealed.

“When I found out (that Cooper was returning), I was a little bit, not disappointed, but thinking I was going to have a massive challenge to hold down a starting position.”

“But then we spoke about fullback and we haven’t looked back from there.”

Finding a regular opportunity in Premier Grade was the reason for Hofmeyr’s off-season club switch from Sunnybank, where has played the majority of his rugby since moving to Australia in 2009.

One of the star performers of the Dragons’ Reserve Grade grand final side in 2017, Hofmeyr was frustrated by his lack of opportunities in the top grade at Oldmac.

“I felt like I still had a lot to offer,” said Hofmeyr.

“I’ve still got the aspirations to be a professional rugby player, so I needed to go somewhere where I could play Prems, and Elia got onto me.”

“Haven’t looked back since then.”

There is no doubt the former Dragon doesn’t have the fire of Quade’s cut-out ball, offload or no-look flick pass, but he definitely has a stronger kicking game and will aim to squeeze the life out of Bond with astute territorial positioning from his boot.

It’s this skill set which drew Tuqiri to Hofmeyr in the first place.

“It definitely worked out well for us because he has a great kicking game,” Tuqiri said.

“We’re going to need that on our side when we take on the likes of GPS and University.”

That’s not to say Souths are taking Bond lightly ahead of this weekend’s Hospital Challenge Cup Match of the Round.

“I’m not quite sure what to think, but I know, on their day, they can beat anyone.”

“We definitely can’t afford to be complacent.”

“They’re very physical, they’ve got a massive forward pack and our issue last week was we didn’t aim up physically, so we need to be ready this week for a physical game again.”

Saturday’s clash at Chispy Wood Oval will also see Souths celebrate their annual Ladies Day – traditionally, one of the highlights of the year for the Magpies.

First Grade kicks off at 3:20pm, and the match will also be live streamed via redsrugby.com.au

Photo: QRU Media