"We've got huge versatility," he said. "I think we've proven over the last few years that we can cope with injuries. We weren't happy with the way things went [against the Force] but we were happy with the combination we put out.
"I wouldn't read too much into the combination - what happened was more a general malaise within the squad and it's hard to pick out any one factor."
The Chiefs will be hoping that malaise clears against the sixth-placed Bulls, considering the champs are without a win in Pretoria since 2001. To break that streak they will have to overcome their difficulties in the lineout, where they will be seriously tested against one of the best sides in the competition in that area.
Given the monumental task of dealing with Victor Matfield and co are Brodie Retallick and Matt Symons, who replaces Michael Fitzgerald in the starting line-up.
Another man with a testing time ahead of him is Rhys Marshall. Coming into the team in place of Mahonri Schwalger, Marshall has the lowest lineout-throw success rates in the competition (63 per cent), compared to Bulls hooker Callie Visagie's second-ranked 92 per cent.
Smith expected the South African side to drive from the set piece at every opportunity in the aim of accruing penalties, but he warned that was far from the only danger they would present.
"You can't assume that's all the Bulls are going to do - they've actually moved the ball quite a bit and they've got quite a potent backline. So you've got to be able to switch from both assets of play - cover the driving forwards, then be able to also cover the wide attack."
Adding to the difficulty is Loftus Versfeld, among the most daunting venues in Super Rugby, and Smith knows the Chiefs will have to be at the champion best to prevail.
"We've got to really get up and be at our best to try to win at this place."APNZ
