Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi will miss the Stormers’ tour to Australasia due to a burst appendix.

Mbonambi withdrew from the Stormers team ahead of the season opener against the Jaguares on Saturday. Ramone Samuels started in the Bok hooker’s place, with Dean Muir coming off the bench, and the Stormers managed to secure a 28-20 victory.

Afterwards, Stormers coach Robbie Fleck revealed the reason for the late change: Mbonambi’s appendix burst on Friday. He will not travel with the team to Australasia on Sunday, and is unlikely to feature in any of the games against the Waratahs, Crusaders and Highlanders.

The Stormers squad for the three-game tour will be confirmed on Sunday.

Photo: Thinus Maritz/Gallo Images