The injury-jinxed Stormers suffered another devastating blow when fears that influential centre Brendan Venter might miss the four-match tour of New Zealand and Australia were realised.
The 30-year-old Springbok was not on the plane that flew out of Cape Town on Sunday because of a recurring shoulder injury. He has been replaced by Western Province centre Werner Greeff, who will fly out later this week once new ticket arrangements have been made.
Venter joins the ranks of Selborne Boome and Tokkie Kasselman, who were recently ruled out of the tour, as well as loose forwards Bob Skinstad and Robbie Brink, who were injured before the gruelling Super 12 tournament began.
Robbie Fleck has completed his recovery period from concussion and will be available for the next match however.
The Stormers also started the season without 1999 stalwarts Johnny Trytsman (retired) and Anton Leonard (Northern Bulls).
Venter's shoulder has given way despite hopes that he might be able to get through the season.
The problem delayed his test comeback in 1999 and he has now been ruled out for another six weeks.
"Venter will probably be ready to play against the Highlanders on 29 April," said coach Alan Solomons.
Meanwhile, Greeff made a try-scoring return from his own injury in the WP Vodacom Cup team which defeated the Vodacom Eagles 40-26 in a curtain-raiser to the Stormers-Brumbies game on Saturday. His inclusion means that of the 13 backs the Stormers are taking on tour, six of them have made three or fewer Super 12 starts. There are also four forwards in the 28-man squad yet to make a Super 12 start.
The Stormers, who have gone three matches without a win after the 29-15 loss to the Brumbies, arrive in Nelson on Tuesday and play their first match against the reigning champions, the Crusaders, on Sunday.
Stormers touring squad:
Backs - Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, De Wet Barry, Wayne Julies, Robbie Fleck, Werner Greeff, Gus Theron, Pieter Rossouw, John Daniels, Robert Markram, Braam van Straaten, Dave von Hoesslin, Dan van Zyl.
Forwards - Janneman Brand, Pietie Ferreira, Hendrik Gerber, Chean Roux, Corne Krige, Wayne Boardman, Hottie Louw, Julian Barnard, Brett Barrett, Cobus Visagie, Morne van der Merwe, Charl Marais, Johan van Wyk, Robbie Kempson, Toks van der Linde.