Cricket
Knights confident ahead of mediation with Cricket South Africa─── MORGAN PIEK 13:16 Wed, 28 May 2025
The Knights remain confident of winning their mediation case against Cricket South Africa (CSA), which is scheduled to take place early next month in Johannesburg.
As it stands, the Knights are set to be relegated to Division 2 following a challenging season. However, should they succeed in their mediation, they will retain their place in the top tier of domestic cricket.
Earlier in the season, the Warriors were docked points in the One-Day Cup for failing to meet transformation targets, but their win against the Dolphins was upheld – a result that ultimately pushed the Knights to the bottom of the log, and destined for relegation back to Division 2.
Johan van Heerden. Photo: Gallo
Knights CEO Johan van Heerden told OFM Sport that they believe they have a strong case, and for them it is a matter of fighting for what is right.
“The mediation is scheduled for 9:00, on Thursday, 5 June, in Johannesburg. We still fully support the actions we’ve taken and believe the dispute we've declared is valid,” said Van Heerden.
“It’s not about working against cricket – for us, it’s about doing the right thing and safeguarding the future of Free State Cricket.
“We believe the log points were incorrectly decided, and we couldn’t accept that. The main objective of this dispute is to challenge that decision.”
Van Heerden also revealed that they’ve presented CSA with an alternative proposal, which involves scrapping relegation for the past season and expanding Division 1 to nine teams for the 2025/26 campaign.
“We’ve submitted an alternative proposal to CSA. Given the timing of everything – contracts and all – we’ve suggested they consider suspending promotion and relegation for this season, at least until the restructuring of domestic cricket is finalised.
Dian Forrester. Photo: Morgan Piek
“The idea is to do away with relegation for now and only promote, allowing Division 1 to operate with nine teams next season.”
The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Tuskers have already been promoted to Division 1 for the 2025/26 domestic season. Despite the looming threat of playing in Division 2, the Knights have managed to retain the bulk of their playing squad, with only a couple of departures expected.
Dian Forrester and Lesego Senokwane have already signed for the North West Dragons and Titans respectively, but according to Van Heerden, they will continue playing in Bloemfontein should they be successful with the mediation and possible arbitration.
