This comes as the Knights were relegated from Division 1 and due to a big difference in budget between the two tiers, the Bloemfontein-based team will have to contract smartly.

Numerous players will be leaving the team, including the Proteas fast bowler, Gerald Coetzee, and the opening batter, Matthew Kleinveldt, who will be heading to the Titans. The captain, Pite van Biljon, has been offered a contract by the newly promoted KZN Tuskers, and he will be joined by the left-arm seamer, Mbulelo Budaza.

The all-rounder Patrick Kruger and seamer Alfred Mothoa are expected to head to the Eastern Cape to join the Warriors, while the former SA U19 captain and batter, Raynard van Tonder is expected to report for duty at the North West Dragons.

The two new faces so far will include left-arm seamer and former SA U19 player, Tiaan van Vuuren, of the Warriors and all-rounder Clayton Bosch from the Eastern Cape Eastern Cape Iinyathi.

The CEO of Free State Cricket, Johan van Heerden, told OFM Sport that the contracting is going well and they are excited about fielding a competitive squad for the upcoming season.

"We are really looking forward to some of the newcomers, such as Matthew Pollard, Nathan Roux, Tiaan van Vuuren and Sithembile Langa," said the former Free State captain.

"There's a nice mix of experienced players that have been involved in Division 1 for quite a long time, and then there are some really exciting youngsters that have been involved in the South African U19 sides and that."

While the contacting is not yet complete, Aubrey Swanepoel, is set to stay on and should take over the captaincy. Gihahn Cloete, Patrick Botha, Jacques Snyman, Isaac Dikgale and Nipho Mpungose are also remaining at the union.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport