Tim Donnelly is likely to be rushed back into the starting line-up of early season Super 12 rugby pacesetter NSW following a weekend in which all three Australian teams experienced some adversity.

While NSW was the only team with a maximum 10 points after two rounds after its 36-13 win over the Sharks in Durban, the Waratahs lost starting five-eighth Lachlan MacKay with rib cartilage damage.

Donnelly, who missed the first two rounds after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction last November, was originally scheduled to make his comeback for NSW A next week, but instead caught a flight to South Africa.

While Donnelly hasn't played since the Waratahs tour of Argentina last October, team officials suggested he would start at five-eighth against the Cats in Johannesburg next weekend.

Shaun Berne, who shared the No.10 jersey with Donnelly last season is tipped to remain at inside centre as the Waratahs management want minimal disruption to their successful side.

MacKay, who is in his first full season of Super 12 rugby, set up the opening try for Lote Tuqiri before being injured around 20 minutes into the game.

"The ball went a little behind me and someone took out my legs and I was airborne and someone else came over the top and just slammed me straight into the ground," MacKay said from Durban.

"I tried to struggle through, but I was probably a bit of a waste of space because there wasn't too much I could do after I hurt myself."

Fullback Mat Rogers had another outstanding game scoring 21 points including a try, while Tuqiri crossed the Cats' line twice and Berne once.

The third-placed Brumbies (9 pts) also made it two wins from two starts with a 21-19 home win over the Bulls, despite fielding almost a reserve grade backline.

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