Two veld types of the Gordonia district, namely Orange River broken veld and Kalahari sand veld, were evaluated in terms of chemical composition, feed intake and body mass change of grazing sheep. Adult wethers and non-reproducing ewes equipped with oesophageal fistulae were used in the study. The nutritive value of both veld types with respect to crude protein and digestible organic matter (DOM) intake was sufficient for the maintenance requirements of non-reproducing sheep. Although low levels in crude protein and DOM-intake did occur in certain months, supplementation of protein or energy was not justified.