Lord Roberts crosses the Vaal River en route to Pretoria

Date: 27 May 1900
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

In May 1900, at the height of the South African War (1899-1902), Field Marshall Lord Roberts and his forces crossed the Vaal River heading to Pretoria.This mission was not without obstacles as on his way northwards from Kroonstad, he encountered some opposition. Two days later the Boers made an effort to stop the advance south of Johannesburg. They however had to abandon their positions as soon as the British resorted to their outflanking activity which Roberts used so successfully since he took over command. Subsequently, on 31 May 1900 Johannesburg was occupied by the British forces. Roberts believed that if Pretoria fell, the Republican troops would surrender. So, he proceeded to Pretoria in a bid to force the Transvaal government to surrender and accept the British terms for an end to the war.

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How we know this

01Boddy-Evans, A., ‘This Day in African History: 27 May’, from About.com African History, [online], Available at www.africanhistory.about.com [Accessed: 26 April 2012]
02City of Tswane, ‘From Bloemfontein to Pretoria’, from City of Tswane, [online], Available at www.tshwane.gov.za [Accessed: 26 April 2012]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, May 24). Lord Roberts crosses the Vaal River en route to Pretoria. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083812

South African History Online (2012) 'Lord Roberts crosses the Vaal River en route to Pretoria', South African History Online, 24 May. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083812 (Accessed: 21 July 2026).

South African History Online, Lord Roberts crosses the Vaal River en route to Pretoria [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083812, (accessed 21 July 2026).

"Lord Roberts crosses the Vaal River en route to Pretoria." South African History Online, 24 May 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083812. Accessed 21 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Lord Roberts crosses the Vaal River en route to Pretoria." South African History Online. May 24, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083812.