Australia confident Quade Cooper will make The Rugby Championship

Australia are confident a shoulder injury suffered by fly-half Quade Cooper will not rule him out of The Rugby Championship that starts next month.

The Wallabies face South Africa in their opening match of the series on July 18 and Cooper's participation had been thrown into doubt by the injury " suffered during his final appearance for the Reds.

Cooper's injury is the latest setback in a season that has also seen him break his collarbone and shoulder blade, but Australia remain positive about his chances of facing the Springboks in Brisbane.

"We're confident Quade will be available for selection in the opening round of The Rugby Championship in Brisbane against the Springboks," a Wallabies spokesperson told Perform.

Cooper is currently looking for a new club after being released by the Reds at the end of the Super Rugby season, the 27-year-old having previously been linked with a move to Toulon.

That move was denied by the Reds at the time, but now Cooper is a free agent he could make the switch to the Top 14.