Stormers' Bok has undergone 'emergency surgery'

The Stormers were forced into a late change before they survived a strong Jaguares fightback in the second half to record a 28-20 win at Newlands in Round One of Super Rugby.

Mbongeni Mbonambi withdrew from the matchday squad, with Ramone Samuels starting and Dean Muir playing off the bench.

Stormers coach Robbie Fleck confirmed that Mbonambi suffered a burst appendix and underwent emergency surgery on Friday.

“He is out of the tour,” Fleck said in the post-match reaction, after the hard-earned win over the South American visitors.

“It was a tough one for us,” the coach said, adding: “He was a late withdrawal.

“The main thing is, he is good and he will be healthy in two weeks or so.”

Fleck is backing rookie hooker Dean Muir to do the job on tour – where they will face the Waratahs, Crusaders and  Highlanders.

He said Muir did ‘very well’ against the Jaguares.

“He had a very good pre-season,” the coach said, adding: “It was tough not to include him in the [matchday] squad [for the Jaguares game].

“He worked incredibly hard.

“When he got selected [to play off the bench] the boys were very chuffed for him.

“He deserved it.

“I thought he was very, very good he showed some character. He carried well and defended well.”