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Jerome Kaino's shoulder injury has forced him out of the Blues squad travelling to South Africa for Super Rugby matches against the Bulls and Stormers.

New Zealand's 2011 player of the year Jerome Kaino has been ruled out of the Blues' tough two-match Super Rugby tour to South Africa with a shoulder injury.

Among title favourites before the season start, the winless Blues face a big task as they meet South African powerhouses the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday and the Stormers a week later in Cape Town.

All Blacks No.8 Kaino, who injured his left shoulder during last Friday's 29-14 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton, will remain in New Zealand as medical staff work to clear up the niggling injury.

Team doctor Stephen Kara says X-rays revealed a small bony lesion, and Kaino consulted a shoulder specialist on Monday.

He will undergo further MRI testing to assess the extent of the damage before decisions are made on treatment options.

Kaino says the injury is bitterly disappointing, but the sensible option is to give himself the best possible chance of healing quickly.

"I really wanted to join the team for the match against the Stormers; that game is always a toughie and even more so in Cape Town.

"But I have to listen to what the experts tell me and make sure I do the right things now to get this shoulder sorted."

Peter Saili has been called in as replacement, while utility back Hadleigh Parkes will replace in-form winger Rudi Wulf, out for up to four weeks with a knee injury.