BRADLEY Davies has been ruled out of Wales' tour to South Africa after undergoing surgery on a damaged hamstring, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Wasps-bound forward suffered the injury in training last week and went under the knife on Wednesday.

Davies is a lock by trade but head coach Warren Gatland has toyed with the idea of fielding him at blindside flanker in a bid to combat the power of the Springboks.

Wales are already without flankers Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric, hooker Richard Hibbard, full-back Leigh Halfpenny, wing Hallam Amos and centre Scott Williams (all shoulder) and fly-half Rhys Priestland (knee).

South Africa also have a lengthy list of absentees featuring captain Jean de Villiers (knee), Eben Etzebeth (foot), Chiliboy Ralepelle (knee), Franco van der Merwe (ankle), Pierre Spies (bicep), Pat Lambie (bicep), Gio Aplon (elbow), Jaque Fourie (ankle) and Adriaan Strauss (suspension).

Wales play a warm-up fixture against Eastern Province Kings on June 10 before facing the Springboks in Durban on June 14 and Nelspruit seven days later.