It appears that the Cats’ challenge may have disappeared down the great Kimberley hole, with their midfield in particular looking decidedly thin.

The latest casualties are star Lions centre Doppies La Grange and the talented Dewey Swartbooi both going down in the Kimberley encounter ... a "game" which lasted no more than 20 minutes.

La Grange, who left the field with a dislocated kneecap, could be ruled out for up to two months.

Swartbooi left the field with a rib/chest injury and it is feared he may have fractured some ribs - which could also rule him out for six weeks.

This setback follows after the Cats lost star Springbok midfielder Bryan Habana to the Bulls and fellow Bok centre Gcobani Bobo to the Sharks.

Cats coach Chester Williams have Springboks Wayne Julies and Jorrie Muller as his first choice midfield combination, but Muller played on the wing for most of the 2004 season and looks a better bet out wide than at centre.

Cheetahs flanker Barry Goodes, who had an outstanding Currie Cup season last year, could be recalled to the Cats.

To add to Williams’ woes flanker Gerhard Vosloo broke his arm in the Kimberley ’massacre’ and his Super 12 season is over before it even started.

Forgotten Springbok loose forward Hendro Scholtz, who was initially overlooked by the coach, could be recalled to cover on the flank.

That is not where Williams’ nightmare ends.

Star Springbok utility back Jaque Fourie (who played at fullback in Kimberley) also received a hard knock to the knee and failed to complete the 20-minute outing.

His initial prognoses appear far more promising, but more will be known later this week.

As it is, the Cats were without their two first-choice fly-halves - André Pretorius and Willem de Waal.

Pretorius took a hard knock against the head in training last week and was still feeling the affects of the concussion.

De Waal, the leading points-scorer in the 2004 Currie Cup competition, is still recovering from wrist surgery and is in a race against time to be fit for the start of the Super 12 season.

In their absence another forgotten Springbok, Conrad Jantjes, played at fly-half. However, he looked out of his dept in the No.10 jersey and is clearly more accustomed to fullback or wing.

Rich Verster, meanwhile, replaced belligerent Bok hooker Lukas van Biljon, who was sent home from the training camp last week after being involved in yet another bar brawl.