The ITEC Knights will get their 2023/24 campaign underway on Saturday when they face the Garden Route Badgers in Oudtshoorn in the first round of the One-Day Cup.

The Knights will be playing in the 2nd Division this season after being relegated and this campaign will be predominantly about rebuilding and playing for promotion.

The two allrounders, Aubrey Swanepoel and Pat Botha, will captain the team this season following the departure of Pite van Biljon.

The Knights coach, JP Triegaardt, told OFM Sport that Swanepoel and Botha will be the skippers.

“It's going to be a tough one when you go and play in Oudtshoorn, especially this time of the year,” said Triegaardt.

“They are the defending champions of the One-Day Cup in Division 2, so we are really looking forward to that challenge.

“The squad that is going to Oudtshoorn is a really well-balanced one and Aubrey will definitely be our white-ball captain for the season. Then Patrick Botha will be our red-ball captain for the campaign.”

The Knights did manage to build some momentum going into the One-Day Cup with the team beating the 1st Division side, the North West Dragons in two of their three warm-up games.

“Our preseason when really well and are just looking forward to getting our first game behind us,” Triegaardt added.

“It's important for each and every player to make sure that we get our season off on the right foot by winning our first game.

“That momentum will be important to take us further into the One-Day competition.”

Saturday’s game between the Badgers and Knights in Oudtshoorn starts at 10:00.

Knights squad to face the Badgers - Clayton Bosch, Pat Botha, Gihahn Cloete, Isaac Dikgale, Dian Forrester, Sithembile Langa, Monde Maqunqu, Nipho Mpungose, Matthew Pollard, Jacques Snyman, Aubrey Swanepoel, Garnett Tarr, Tiaan van Vuuren

Morgan Piek OFM Sport