Rasssie Erasmus has received a major boost ahead of the Springboks’ year-end tour.

According to reports, the Bok coach has secured special clearance from Japanese clubs to select his Japan-based players for the first match of the tour against the Brave Blossoms at Wembley on 1 November and the final match against Wales in Cardiff on 29 November.

Both fixtures fall outside World Rugby’s Test window, which ordinarily requires players to return to their clubs for domestic duty.

The decision means that key players such as Malcolm Marx, Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Lood de Jager, Manie Libbok, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert and Jasper Wiese will all be available for selection

Erasmus explained that the Japan clash will serve a very specific purpose in the broader five-match tour plan as several Springboks who are not involved in the Vodacom URC have not played since the conclusion of the Rugby Championship

The Test against Japan is to give the players who don’t currently have a league to play in, some game time, as well as for players who’re just returning from injuries,” Erasmus said.

The Springboks will also face France, Italy and Ireland in November.