The big man is heading to Bloemfontein to strengthen the Knights’ seam attack. 

Magala, who has previously played for the Lions and the Chennai Super Kings, brings a wealth of experience at both international and domestic levels. He has taken over 600 wickets across all three formats in domestic cricket and is certainly considered a strike bowler. 

Sisanda Magala and David Miller. Photo: Cricinfo

Magala becomes the third player to join the Knights this off-season, following the signings of Northern Cape duo Ruan Haasbroek and Cole Abrahams a few weeks ago. Magala has also represented the Proteas in eight One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and six T20 Internationals but has been out of action for a while due to injury.

He was initially selected for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India, but a knee injury ruled him out of the global showpiece. Fellow seamer Anrich Nortjé was also forced to withdraw due to a back injury, with the pair being replaced by Andile Phehlukwayo and Lizaad Williams.

Magala enjoys bowling in Bloemfontein. In 2023, during the first ODI against England at the Mangaung Oval, he took 3/46 in a sensational 27-run victory over the then world champions. For this performance, he was named the Player of the Match.

Sisanda Magala. Photo: Cricinfo

His last ODI for South Africa was in September 2023, when the Proteas thrashed Australia by 111 runs at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom. A source within the Knights setup told OFM Sport that Magala is eager to get back on the field and make an impact.

“It’s a fantastic signing – he’s got a statement to make and something to prove. He’s coming back from injury, surgery, and a lot of other setbacks. He’s keen to get back out on the park and show his worth and value.”

Meanwhile, the Knights are still set to be relegated to Division 2 of domestic cricket for 2025/26; however, pending mediation and potential arbitration could yet prevent this outcome.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh