Five Australian surfers survived the first elimination round at the South African event on the World Championship Tour on a day when Hawaiian veteran Fred Patacchia turned in the the best performance.
Adrian Buchan, Owen Wright and Matt Wilkinson won through from the second round at Jeffreys Bay on Saturday, joining Joel Parkinson and Julian Wilson who won their heats the previous day.
Unfortunately their vanquished rivals were countrymen: Buchan pipping Mitch Crews 11.60 to 10.67, Wright having an easier time against Dion Atkinson 12.07 to 6.87 and Wilkinson downing Bede Durbidge 15.93 points to 14.70.
"Bede never falls, he makes every section and throws so much power. I knew it was going to be a tough heat," said Wilkinson.
"It's good to get a heat win under my belt and to be into the third round."
Waiting for him will be 11-time world champion Kelly Slater, the American gaining direct entry courtesy of victory in his opening heat.
Australian winners in round one were defending world champion Mick Fanning, former champ Joel Parkinson, Josh Kerr, and Taj Burrow.
Hawaii's Patacchia was Saturday's top performer with the day's highest single-wave score (9.93 out of a possible 10) and two-wave total of 17.93 against South African veteran Travis Logie (10.60).
"My 9.93 point wave was really special," said Patacchia.
"I could see it was going to be a gem and I kept telling myself 'don't screw this up, Freddie'.
"Travis and I are Quiksilver team mates and we're staying together at J-Bay. You're always going to end up surfing against your friends, but I think I have bragging rights now."
The sixth stop on the World Championship Tour will continue on Sunday, conditions permitting.
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