Bath have granted Taulupe Faletau permission to play for Wales against the Springboks in Cardiff on Saturday.

On Tuesday, the English club released a statement to confirm that the loose forward had been released after a request from Wales coach Warren Gatland.

‘We continue to support the objective of resolving the club and international calendar for the benefit of players, clubs and union, which would prevent this being an issue in the future,’ read the statement.

However, Francois Louw, who also plays for Bath, will not be available for the Boks. They will also be without the services of Duane Vermeulen (Toulon) and Franco Mostert (Ricoh Black Rams) as clubs are not obliged to release players for Test matches outside of World Rugby’s international window.

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Gatland is also hoping to get utility back Owen Williams (Gloucester), prop Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), flyhalf Rhys Priestland (Bath) and centre Jamie Roberts (Harlequins) released by their English clubs.

Meanwhile, Wales have suffered a double injury blow after lock Jake Ball and loose forward Justin Tipuric were ruled out of the Test due to injury.

Ball suffered a shoulder injury in Wales’ 33-18 defeat against the All Blacks last weekend, while Tipuric sustained a quad injury.

Photo: Kevin Barnes/Getty Images