Stormers captain Siya Kolisi flew home as part of Springbok resting protocols to leave the beleaguered Super Rugby tourists thin on experience as a result of injuries.
This means Kolisi won’t play against the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday.
It also leaves coach Robbie Fleck short of experienced heads after Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit both returned to Cape Town last week.