Taulupe Faletau: Cardiff back row can still do it for Wales – Johan Mulder

Wales forward Faletau, 35, will play for Cardiff against Sharks in Durban on Friday (17:00 GMT), his first start since New Year’s Day and only his fourth of the season.

Cardiff head to Kings Park looking to respond after last weekend’s heavy defeat by Bulls, with eight changes to the side.

Faletau’s return comes after another spell on the sidelines, with a calf problem following a knee injury that ruled him out of Wales’ autumn campaign.

And with those injuries, it is easy to forget how long he has been around.

Faletau made his Wales debut 15 years ago and was part of a formidable back row alongside Dan Lydiate and Sam Warburton.

It has been eight years since Warburton retired, but Faletau is still playing and still drawing admiration from team-mates.

Mulder sees it up close.

“His pick-up from the base of a scrum is incredible. He’s got so much explosive power,” Mulder said.

“Offloads… I almost always know to be on his shoulder and to expect the ball. Sometimes I don’t even think he’ll get it away and he still gets it there.”

And Mulder reckons Faletau still has the ability to compete at Test level.

“I definitely believe so,” he said.