SuperSport Series
An impressive all-round display from the Lions produced a 10-wicket win against the Dolphins at Potchefstroom. The Lions build a first innings lead of 113 thanks to half-centuries from Vaughn van Jaarsveld (74), Werner Coetsee (60) and Justin Ontong (59). Fredel de Wet then bagged 5 for 66 as the Dolphins were dismissed for 272 in their second innings, despite a fighting 84 from Ahmed Amla and 70 from Lance Klusener. Needing 160, the Lions made it without losing a wicket as Coetsee and Blake Snijman eased home.
The Titans marched to an eight-wicket win against the Warriors at Port Elizabeth with Dale Steyn, fresh from his role helping South Africa wrap up the series against Pakistan, to the fore with eight wickets. His three first-innings victims were central in hauling the Warriors in from 239 for 3. Murray Goodwin struck 159 off 256 balls, but the last seven wickets went for 69 with Paul Harris taking four. The Titans fell well short in their reply, but Steyn then hit back as the Warriors were skittled for 92. He ripped out the top order and finished with 5 for 50, his first Supersport five-wicket haul of the season. The Titans stumbled to 14 for 2 chasing 188, but Martin van Jaarsveld guided them across the line with a powerful, unbeaten 98.
An outstanding rearguard innings from JP Duminy denied the Eagles what appeared to be a certain victory against the Cobras at Stellenbosch. Duminy's 169 spanned 455 balls as the Cobras had followed-on 309 behind after slumping for 115 in their first innings. When they fell to 279 for 7 in their second innings all seemed lost, but Duminy found priceless support from Rory Kleinveldt who hit 62 off 144 balls. The pair added 113 for the eighth wicket and when the tail was finally wrapped up, Eagles were left needing 105 from 12 overs. The draw was agreed after four overs with the Eagles 29 for 2. The earlier part of the match had been dominated by a stand of 244 between Jacques Rudolph (164) and Boeta Dippenaar (118) as one showed what South Africa will be missing and the other what he could still offer. Ryan McLaren then shone with the ball, claiming a career-best 8 for 38 before adding another three second time round.
SAA Provincial Challenge
Boland completed a five-wicket win against Eastern Province in dramatic style at Pollock Field in Port Elizabeth. The match was virtually level in first innings after EP reached 284 for 6 declared and Boland replied with 277 for 8. Then wickets began to tumble as EP fell for 70, the wickets were shared around the Boland attack. Needing 78 to win, Boland stumbled to 49 for 5 but Brendon Adams held firm with an unbeaten 34.
There wasn't much joy for the bowlers at Kimberley as batsmen from Griqualand West and Northerns feasted on a flat pitch. There were four centuries and two 90s as all three innings passed 400. Adrian McLaren (163) and Wendell Bossenger (131) started the run-fest which was then carried on by Petrus van Biljion (188) and P Malan (130), who hit their maiden first-class centuries, as Northerns took a lead of 68. Despite a couple of early wickets a result was never on the cards with Alan Kruger (98) and Reeza Hendricks (92), a 17-year-old, just falling short of joining the century club.