A century from Stiaan van Zyl put the Cape Cobras in as strong position on day one of their SuperSport Series match against the Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday.
The young number three collected his ninth first-class hundred making a 110 off 196-balls, while there were also strong half-centuries from Yaseen Vallie (71) and Justin Ontong (60) which enabled the visitors to reach 311 for four at close of play.
All the home bowlers struggled, although Robbie Frylinck did manage to bag three for 122, bowling spin as opposed to his usual medium pace.
The Capetonians were depleted severely by national call-ups heading into the game with JP Duminy, Robin Peterson and Rory Kleinveldt all missing.
Justin Kemp the Cobras captain won the toss and elected to bat, a decision,which was vindicated as Andrew Puttick and Vallie put on 50 for the first wicket, before Puttick was dismissed by Frylinck.
Partnerships of 87 and 127 then followed with Van Zyl at the heart of both as Vallie and Ontong provided good support respectively.
But Van Zyl, and Ontong fell within the space of three deliveries to Khayelihle Zondo and Frylinck leaving the Cobras on 264 for four.
Kemp (24) and Richard Levi (19), though, shared an unbroken 47
to take the current log leaders to the close in complete control. – Sapa