Wales v South Africa: Wing Eli Walker robbed of debut after hamstring injury rules his out of Springboks clash

The Ospreys winger had been named in the starting XV for Saturday's match at the Millennium Stadium but he picked up a hamstring injury in training

Eli Walker has been ruled out of Wales' match against South Africa through a hamstring injury (GETTY IMAGES)

Ospreys winger Eli Walker has been ruled out of Wales' Test match against South Africa on Saturday after suffering a hamstring injury in training on Thursday morning, Wales team management have announced.

The 21-year-old had been due to make his Test debut against the Springboks at the Millennium Stadium.

His place in the team will be taken by Scarlets' Liam Williams, with Ospreys' Ashley Beck stepping up to the bench.

Walker's latest injury is a crushing setback for him.

And, although Wales are awaiting further updates on the player, there must now be concerns that he will be sidelined for the entire autumn series, which also features appointments with Argentina, Tonga and Australia.

Walker sustained a back problem that required surgery last season after being named in Wales' initial RBS 6 Nations squad, and he spent a number of months recovering before returning to full fitness at the start of the current campaign.

With prolific try-scorer Alex Cuthbert out with an ankle injury, Saturday's game against the South Africans would have been the perfect stage for Walker to showcase his ability.

Williams, though, was viewed as unlucky by many pundits not to make the starting line-up, and he now has an opportunity to build on his impressive form for the Scarlets this term.

PA