Kleinveldt, who joins the Knights from the Cape Cobras and is the cousin of the former Protea, Rory Kleinveldt, has already played more that than 100 first-class games.

Although Knights lost the services of the star batman, Keegan Petersen, the competition in the batting order is quite competitive, and this excites the left-handed batsman.

Kleinveldt told OFM Sport that as a player he wants to slot in as seamlessly as possible and while he welcomes what he can learn from the ICC Hall of Famer, Allan Donald, to him it is all about the team coming first.

“It is a privilege to be associated with the Knights, and also to be working with the players that are already in the squad.

“The quality is definitely there and I will approach it in a different way and try and feed off of the talent in the squad. As young as Raynard van Tonder is and guys like him, I will be trying to tap into their mindset, the way they go about the game, try and take something from that, and work with the squad as opposed to working against the squad.

“For every opportunity that presents itself I will do it for the best of the team and not for furthering myself. Furthering where the team needs to be is kind of my mindset entering the squad.”

“To work with someone like Allan Donald (head coach) is something that I am also really looking forward to. He is someone who has represented South Africa and made the country very proud. I am looking forward to working with him in whatever way or level he came kind of help me in my game.

“It is very exciting and it is going to be challenging at the same time. There are going to be spots up for grabs, but again my mindset is all about the team, and the team comes first. Whichever way I can fit into the team and to do what I can to better the team will be my focus.”

Other new players contracted for the upcoming season include Ferisco Adams, Duan Jansen, Alfred Mothoa, Migael Pretorius, Jacques Snyman and Jonathan Vandiar.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport