The Hurricanes first five Aaron Cruden and centre Conrad Smith both sustained injuries during the 17-16 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night and will be returning home, making them unavailable for the tour to South Africa.
Cruden suffered a left Achilles strain and was substituted at half time while Smith clashed heads with a Brumbies player late in the second half, resulting in a fractured nose and a cut to the forehead which required stitches.
The players will return to New Zealand on Monday with the rest of team flying on to Johannesburg.
Two Taranaki players, Jayden Hayward and Beauden Barrett have been called in as replacements from the Hurricanes Wider Training Group and will fly over and meet the team in Sydney on Monday before travelling on to South Africa with the rest of the squad.
Hayward made his debut for the Hurricanes in round four against the Chiefs and Barrett will make his debut if named in the playing 22.
Cory Jane remains unavailable for selection as he awaits the birth of his 3rd child.
