Pienaar returns to Franchise after spending the last couple of seasons playing in New Zealand and for the South Western Districts.

Last week the Bloemfontein-born Pienaar was named as the SWD Cricketer of the Season.

With the retirement of Ryan McLaren and the departure to the highly experienced Rudi Second the 29-year-old return is welcomed.

The coach, Alan Kruger, told OFM Sport that they are more than happy welcome to have Pienaar back.

“With Obus back it does give us that more experience, and with him being an ex-Knights player he knows the system well.

“He has done well for SWD where he was the player of the season, and he also won a game from absolutely nowhere.

“He fits the profile of the type of player we have been wanting to sign for the next season, so we are quite chuffed to have him here.

“The fact that he does bowl left-arm spin does add a lot of value because that is something that we have been looking at as well, so he is definitely someone that can take us forward.

Pienaar, who is currently in Belfast told OFM Sport that he is delighted to be heading back to his former team.

“Yes, I’m grateful for the opportunity that the Knights are giving me, and I, really keen to play franchise cricket again.

“I know some of the players really well and then there are some exciting new faces which is great.

“My fiancé and family are in Bloemfontein, so would be great to be close to them all.”

The other seasoned campaigner to join the team next season is the spinner, Shaun von Berg.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport