The British, led by Arthur Paget, launched an assault on Viljoen's position at Renosterkop, which consisted of three primary attacks.

The British, for some time, had been looking to eliminate the Commando led by Ben Viljoen, who was operating Northeast of Pretoria.

He sends a scouting party from his positions to gather intelligence on British soldiers and their movements, whilst his men dig a 5 km front, with trenches and fortifications.

The same day, the scouting party made contact with the advancing British forces, and they retreated back to their defensive positions.

It started with an infantry attack on Viljoen's left flank but it was beaten off by the Boers with accurate rifle and fire from the Maxim Nordenfeldt.