The first day’s play was taken up with time matches before the switch to the various limited overs formats later in the week.
Kwazulu-Natal were in all kinds of trouble at 39/4 before the No.5 and No.6 batsmen came together in a stand of 166 for the fifth wicket in only 34 overs.
Takodza and Ndaba helped their team to a total of 283/9 in 65 overs. Takodza contributed 88 off 124 balls with nine fours and a six while Ndaba added 94 off 104 balls with 11 fours.
The only century of the day came from Erlank Bernard of Northern Cape who finished unbeaten on 100 (148 balls, 8 fours) in a total of 264/7 against Mpumalanga.
This innings also included a partnership of note with Bernard and Benre Engelbrecht (60 off 63 balls, 9 fours) – putting-on 108 for the 7th wicket.
In addition to the KZN pair there were several other batsmen who got close to three figures including Christoffel Klijnhans of Free State (93 not out off 144 balls, 11 fours) against Border and Cameron Shekleton of Gauteng who finished on a tantalising 99 not out (187 balls, 9 fours) against Western Province.
The best bowling performance came from Rickus Neethling who took 6/18 for Easterns against Limpopo.
In the clashes between the big provinces, Kwazulu-Natal secured a first innings victory over Northerns while WP held out for a draw against Gauteng.
Free State also banked a first innings win over Border and Eastern Province held on to draw the with Kwazulu-Natal Inland squad.
Boland was the only team to secure an outright victory on the day as they overpowered North West.
Source: African News Agency (ANA)
