The Stormers will have to make do without two of their big Springboks when they face the Reds in Brisbane on Friday.
Flank Pieter-Steph du Toit and lock Eben Etzebeth have both returned to Cape Town, alongside centre them is Dan du Plessis, as the Stormers gear up for the first of two matches in Australia.
Du Toit returned home to be with his wife, who is about to give birth, while Etzebeth has been ruled out for the remainder of the tour with a calf injury.
INJURED: Eben Etzebeth is nursing a sore calf. Photo: Backpagepix.
Du Plessis, meanwhile, has a knee injury and has been replaced in the squad by winger Seabelo Senatla.
Joining Senatla on the flight to Australia is young forward Ernst van Rhyn - cover for Du Toit.
On top of this, the Stormers are also sweating on the fitness of tighthead prop Wilco Louw, who suffered a knock to the ankle in their 24-9 defeat to the Blues last weekend.
FLYING HOME: Centre Dan du Plessis hurt his knee. Photo: Backpagepix.
Of Etzebeth’s latest setback, assistant coach Dawie Snyman says: “He’s got a history with the calf injury and we have to make sure he recovers.
“This is a big year for him and we are confident that he will be ready as soon as possible.”