Rietvlei was a farm north-west of Delmas.
Early in July 1900 Brigadier-General Porter’s cavalry brigade joined Major-General Hutton’s Division on the nearby farm, Rietvlei. When Major-General French joined them, he took command and made this his headquarters.
Early on the morning of 16 July Boer commandos, under the command of General Ben Viljoen attacked the British piquets on the nearby farm, Witpoort. The Boers were forced to retire when British re-enforcements arrived.
British casualties were seven killed and 30 wounded. Lieutenant Borden of the Canadian Mounted Rifles was one of the casualties.
