North West held on to the chance of a place in the SAA Provincial Challenge final as they restricted Gauteng to 197 for 9 at Potchefstroom and then put on 101 for 5 when play ended on day one. Gauteng, who won the toss, started promisingly with Enoch Nkwe scoring 50 and William Motaung making 41. Dumisa Makalima (32) helped build their total before they collapsed from 162 for 4 to the declaration at 197 for 9. Richard Stroh (4 for 24) and Jaco Campher (3 for 54) were mainly responsible for the Gauteng wickets. Jimmy Kgamadi (46) and Mohammad Akoojee gave North West the start they wanted but 3 for 35 from Johnson Mafa reduced them to 101 for 5 at the close.

At Port Elizabeth the match between Eastern Province and Boland is evenly poised after Boland reached 288 and Eastern Province replied with 55 for 1. Having been sent in to bat, Boland recovered well with a 147-run third-wicket partnership between Warren Swan (74) and Henry Davids (69). Three late wickets from Colin Ingram, who ended with career best figures of 4 for 16, ended the Boland innings on 288.