Free State and Northerns seize the initiative

2nd day Free State 315 for 8 dec and 94 for 2 lead KwaZulu-Natal 185 (McLaren 5-43) by 224 runs
Scorecard

In Durban, Free State took the upper hand after bowling KwaZulu-Natal out for 185. Career best figures of 5 for 43 by Ryan McLaren ensured that wickets fell at regular intervals with only Wade Wingfield (44) and Wayne Madsen (32) offering some resistance. Batting for a second time, Free State increased the lead to 224, ending on 94 for 2 when light intervened. Yadene Singh was the chief wicket-taker for Natal, picking up both of the wickets to fall, including one with the first ball of the innings.

2nd day Northerns 357 for 6 dec and 171 for 2 lead Easterns 187 (Joubert 4-43, Aronstam 5-37) by 350 runs
Scorecard

Despite a 115-run partnership between Goolam Bodi and Jacques du Toit, Easterns struggled to get close to the Northerns total. Pierre Joubert (4 for 43) had done the early damage while Maurice Aronstam claimed his best figures, taking the last five wickets to fall with his leg breaks. In their second innings, Northerns seized the initiative with Aronstam making a crucial 95, before becoming the third man in the match to fall in the nineties. He was supported by Allahudien Paleker, who scored his maiden fifty.