The Proteas batter and former Knight, Raynard van Tonder, put the Dragons in the strong position along with his captain, Wihan Lubbe. The pair put on a 149-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Lubbe was dismissed for 85.

Van Tonder went on to score his 8th first-class century with a knock of 120 runs before being bowled out by Tshepo Moreki. Van Tonder struck 12 fours and two sixes in his innings.

A week prior, Van Tonder, scored 84* and Lubbe scored 82* in the second innings at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein to force a draw against the Knights. The wicketkeeper, Tahir Isaacs, contributed with a fine 59 not out before the Dragons declared their first innings on 425/6. Earlier in the innings Janneman Malan scored 63, while Matthew Kleinveldt scored 32.

Ruan de Swardt. Photo: Morgan Piek

Moreki was the best bowler for the Lions with 3/69 in 21 overs. At stumps the Lions were on 77/2 with Joshua Richard not out on 40 while the in-form Proteas allrounder, Wihan Lubbe, was unbeaten on 16.

The captain Dominic Hendricks was dismissed for 14, while another Protea, Zubayr Hamza managed only five runs.

Both wickets were caught behind by Isaacs off the bowling of the Proteas allrounder, Ruan de Swardt. De Swardt was brilliant with the ball up front by taking 2/6 in his six overs thus far.

Day three at the JB Marks Oval will get underway at 10:00 on Saturday (16/11) , and the Lions still trail by 348 runs in their first innings.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg