Injuries to Sonny Bill Williams and Tim Nanai-Williams mean the Chiefs are likely to field a new-look midfield combination against the Sharks this weekend.
Williams is struggling with concussion. The inside centre clashed heads with Stormers prop Vincent Koch midway through the first half at Newlands and although he passed the pitch-side concussion test and returned to the field he has been struggling with symptoms since.
"Sonny took a pretty severe head knock and hasn't been feeling so good for the last couple of days," Chiefs assistant coach Tom Coventry said from Durban.
"He hasn't recovered as quickly as we would have liked. He's had a few headaches. He's under a bit of a selection cloud this weekend."
Coventry explained that Williams cannot begin the return to play protocols, which are usually a five-day process, until he has been symptom-free for a day.
"He's going to have to start making some progress by tomorrow, or even this afternoon (South Africa time) [if he is going to be considered for selection]."
Nanai-Williams broke his finger in the win in Cape Town and is already flying back to New Zealand. Marty McKenzie has already joined his teammates in Durban as a replacement.
With Charlie Ngatai also out for several weeks with an ankle injury, coach Dave Rennie's options to fill the sizeable gap left by Nanai-Williams and possibly Williams are Andrew Horrell, Tom Marshall, Seta Tamanivalu and McKenzie.
Tamanivalu stepped in at centre when Williams was a late withdrawal against the Brumbies in round two, while Horrell filled the No.13 role when Ngatai was forced out of the Highlanders match two weeks ago.
The two-time champions also have prop Pauliasi Manu in doubt with a rib injury.
Injuries aside, the conditions in Durban, which tend to be humid, could also see a slight change in strategy from the Chiefs.
While it was their strong counter-attack which ultimately proved to be too much for the Stormers, the Chiefs' kicking game was also accurate something they may need to rely more on against the Sharks.
"The last time we played here it was like playing in the rain ... so conditions will play a part," Coventry said.
"I thought our kicking game last week was pretty impressive. We had a large majority of the territory which has been common from the last two matches. I think our kicking strategy will continue but obviously we want to play."
