Wallaby Michael Hooper may not have helped his team win against South Africa but the young flanker won plenty of kudos for his tireless tackling in their Rugby Championship clash.

Playing in his first Test match at Loftus Versfeld, where the Australians have never won, the hungry Springboks dominated the Wallabies for a 31-8 victory.

South Africa may have outclassed the visitors to break a two-match losing streak but Hooper never stopped trying while his injured teammates literally fell around him, topping the tackle count along with rookie lock Kane Douglas.

He put his 97kg frame on the line against the giants Springboks backrowers Willem Alberts (119kg), Francois Louw (114kg) and Duane Vermeulen (120kg).

Hooper was voted the Wallabies’ players’ player in the changerooms afterwards.

Despite the disappointing scoreline, Hooper said he relished the experience of playing at the famed Springboks rugby fortress in only his seventh Test and fourth start since replacing injured skipper David Pocock.

“It’s a great place to play at, it was enjoyable running out there and singing the anthem,” said Hooper, who has switched from the Brumbies to NSW for the next Super Rugby season.

“On top of that we started well.

“We did a few good things and then at about 20 minutes in things started to not go our way, bounces not right and we needed to clean up a few things.

“It was a good experience, I’d like to come back here and win though.”

He admitted the Springboks won the battle at the breakdown, their relentless pressure stifling Australia’s attacking ambitions.