RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam winner Jones underwent a hernia operation less than a month ago but is making good progress having been included in the squad for the two-Test trip.

Jones said to The Western Mail: “I’m coming along. I’m on schedule by all accounts from what the physios have said.

“I actually picked up the injury during the second week of the RBS 6 Nations when I wasn’t involved against Scotland.

“I strained myself doing some fitness work and never really recovered properly from that.

“I was always aware of it. Medication kept it at bay and I managed to keep on playing.

“But it got to the stage where it was getting a bit silly and I needed to get something done about it.

“I had to get it done before the end of the season otherwise the potential was it could run into the beginning of next season, which, obviously, wasn’t ideal.”

The recovery period is between four to six weeks, with five weeks taking him up to the day the plane flies to South Africa.

“We knew it was always going to be a close thing in terms of getting back in time,” he added.

“It’s a bit of a tight schedule we are working to. I am still struggling with certain things, but I’m back doing some running on the field and I’m hoping to play a bit bigger part in training next week.

“I’d like to be back playing by now, but the body knows best and, hopefully, I’ll make it in time.”