Had the Zulu impi that attacked Rorke's drift attacked the defenders one last time it is likely they would have overrun the defenses and slaughtered the defenders. In the 12 hours the battle went on, the British defenders expended nearly 20,000 rounds of ammunition. In the early pre-dawn break, it was determined only 900 rounds of ammunition remained (less than 10 rounds per defender). Sheer weight of numbers would have succeeded. Reasons the Zulu impi retired include, they had not eaten in two days and were both tired and hungry. They had spotted Chelmsford's remaining troops returning from a night on the Isandlawana battleground (though Chelmsford's men had at the most 100 rounds per man as their reserve was taken by the Zulus the day before). Lastly they had attacked Rorke's Drift (across the Buffalo River in Natal) in defiance of orders from Chetewayo to not leave Zulu territory.

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