South Africa’s hopes are pinned on Durban surfer Sarah Baum after East London’s Daniel Emslie was knocked out of the Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill this morning.

Emslie faced off against Frenchman Joan Duru in the Round of 16, but was unable to find his groove in 4-6 foot conditions.

Duru is a veteran of the Championship Tour (CT), surfing’s elite level, and that experience showed in wave selection and timing throughout the heat.

Emslie was chasing from the first wave and was unable to deliver the single big score to get him back into the competition.

Nevertheless, it was an impressive run in the tournament from the 19-year-old who showed he is comfortable among the upper echelons of professional surfing.

Elsewhere on the men’s side, Australian Jacob Willcox scored the first perfect ten at this year’s Pro in a thrilling matchup against Morgan Cibilic in the first heat of the day.

Willcox selected a beautiful wave from the lineup and was able to hold his balance in a 5-second barrel before landing a big cut back to impress the early rising fans.

His final score of 18.67 is the highest in Ballito this year.

Cibilic was bitterly unlucky, scoring a massive 17.07 (the third highest of the event) but it was not enough to beat his countryman.

Willcox will face American Kade Matson in the first quarterfinal, followed by the matchups of Frederico Morais vs Alejo Muniz, Joan Duru vs Nolan Rapoza and Cole Houshmand vs Kauli Vaast.

Willcox leads the current Challenger Series rankings and is the highest rated surfer left in the draw.

Two women’s Round of 16 heats were also completed after the men this afternoon, before the action was called for the day.

In the first, former world number one Sally Fitzgibbons showed her class to beat promising Brazilian youngster Luana Silva.

Despite smaller afternoon 1-4 foot conditions, Fitzgibbons carved out a respectable final score of 12.83 to win by almost two points.

An exciting final heat of the day saw France’s Vahine Fierro surfing against Brazilian Laura Raupp, with both in fine form.

A strong early wave of 8.50 from Fierro set the pace, but Raupp gave everything in the chase to finish just over a point away.

Fierro will face Fitzgibbons in the only quarter-final that has been decided.

Sarah Baum returns to the water tomorrow morning for her Round of 16 matchup against Australian Ellie Harrison.

First call is at 7am, follow the Ballito Pro on social media to get regular updates.

A full list of heat results can be found at worldsurfleague.com/events/2023/cs/144/ballito-pro/results.