Cats coach Laurie Mains on Monday said he would not be guided by the news coming out of the Brumbies camp.

The Australians revealed on Monday that they suffered a triple blow with the news that Andrew Walker, Stephen Larkham and James Holbeck were all unavailable for the clash at Ellis Park.

Walker had to return home to his sick mother, while Larkham was still recovering from injury. Holbeck injured his groin in the first half of Saturday's 17-16 loss to the Sharks.

But Mains said he would not read too much into events. Instead he would rather concentrate on his own side's preparation and try and keep the good start going. He added that the Brumbies had plenty of quality players to fill the gaps.

"Rod Kafer is a good ballplayer and gamebreaker," he told Beeld. "We will have to include him in our preparations."

He also rejected claims that the Cats would go out to gain revenge for last season's 64-0 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra. "In this competition, you can't afford to dwell on the past. I will look at the Brumbies' strengths and try to neutralise it. I take down notes of the teams we play and I have a couple of things written down about the Brumbies."

Mains confirmed he would only announce his team on Thursday as he is still waiting for news on Jannes Labuschagne. The burly second rower injured his knee during Saturday's thumping of the Highlanders and is a doubtful starter.

"At this stage it looks like Jannes will only miss the game against the Brumbies. He stretched his ligaments and the bone is badly bruised. If he can't play, Kleinjan Tromp will start the match," he said.