At Wolveskraal he "laagered" his trains on the north bank of the river, postponing crossing to next day.

Either he felt sure that the British infantry, marching afoot, could not come up in time to stop him, or else, {p.280} unable to reconcile himself to cutting loose from his guns and his wagons, he determined to risk all on the chance of saving them.
French, unsupported, could only answer for Koodoosrand.
The decision was critical, and proved fatal.

The British 6th Division pressed on untiring after nightfall, aiming to reach Paardeberg, but, missing the precise point, they passed on and halted a mile and a half below Wolveskraal, nearly opposite the ford Cronje intended to use.
Though all unknowing, they had taken a commanding position to head him, as French had at Koodoosrand.

Behind them was the mounted infantry, which had crossed back from the north side, and also the 9th Division.

Before daybreak both these had halted on the south side, at Paardeberg.
When Cronje camped on the afternoon of the 17th, the only chance left him was to cross at once to Wolveskraal, abandoning his guns and wagons.