Rugby-Injured Spies ruled out of European tour

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 3 (Reuters) - South African number eight Pierre Spies has pulled out from his team's European tour after breaking a finger at the weekend, officials said on Tuesday.

Spies had surgery on his little finger on Monday, Springbok communications manager Anthony Mackaiser said in a statement.

Natal Sharks flank Jean Deysel has been called up as a replacement for Spies.

Ryan Kankowski is now likely to play at eighthman for the world champions against France on Nov. 13.

They also place Italy on Nov. 21 and Ireland on Nov. 28. Spies had enjoyed a top-class season for the Springboks, appearing in all nine tests this year, proving a destructive ball-carrier and a potent lineout force.

He had not been named in the squad to play Leicester on Friday.

(Reporting by Ken Borland, editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)