South African paceman Mfunkeo Ngam has undergone surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right shoulder.

He decided to undergo the operation whilst recupertaing from a fractured thigh bone, which cost him a place in the squad for the forthcoming tour of the West Indies.

The shoulder problem did not affect Ngam's bowling during the South African season, but his throwing from the outfie3ld was inhibited.

"The surgery was successful and Ngam will rest his shoulder in a sling for six weeks to allow the tendon to heal before embarking on a four-month rehabilitation and treatment programme.

"We are hopeful that he will return to training and bowling/fielding in the pre-season, envisaged to be around July," said national team physio Craig Smith.

Ngam, 21, made his Test debut against New Zealand at Johannesburg in December and has so far taken 11 wickets in three matches at an average of only 17.18,

He is seen as the heir apparent to South Africa's record wicket-taker Allan Donald and has produced deliveries clocked at 147kph.

But the stress fracture of his thigh was discovered before the final Test against Sri Lanka last month, an injury caused by "over-exertion", accoirding to doctors.

It is the third such injury he has suffered in as many years.

His absence resulted in a place in the tour squad for uncapped 23-year-old Eastern Province fast bowler Andre Nel.