Cricket
Knights thump Impalas at the Mangaung Oval─── MORGAN PIEK 09:47 Mon, 20 Oct 2025
The Knights claimed their second convincing win in Division 2 of the CSA 4-Day Series on Sunday, beating the Limpopo Impalas by an innings and 99 runs at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.
The hosts wrapped up the victory to back up their eighth-wicket drubbing of the Eastern Storm in round one a fortnight earlier. The Impalas batted first in Bloemfontein and were dismissed for 223 in 75.3 overs, with CP Klijnhans top-scoring with 55 off 111 balls, while Emmanuel Motswiri contributed 42 off 105.
Seamer Johan van Dyk was the pick of the Knights’ bowlers with an impressive 4/41 in 14.3 overs, while captain Dane Piedt claimed 4/68 in 28 overs.
Dane Piedt. Photo: Morgan Piek
In reply, the Knights’ batters came to the party, reaching 535/8 before declaring. Debutant Ruben Maree made an immediate impact, scoring a brilliant 134 on debut with 20 fours. He was well supported by opening batter Isaac Dikgale, who fell just short of a third first-class century when he was dismissed for 95 off 283 balls.
Wicketkeeper Gihahn Cloete continued his fine form with the bat, crafting a fluent 130 off 147 deliveries, while fellow debutant Seth Fledermaus added 69 runs.
Marcello Piedt was the best of the Impalas bowlers with 2/59 in 22 overs.
Isaac Dikgale. Photo: Morgan Piek
Piedt then led the way with the bat in the Impalas’ second innings, smashing a quickfire 73 off 43 balls. Wicketkeeper Sizwe Masondo added 54, while Motswiri chipped in with 44.
However, the Impalas once again fell well short, bowled out for 213 in 75.4 overs. Piedt was again the standout for the Knights, taking 4/86 in 32 overs. Van Dyk claimed 2/55 in 18 overs, and Jacques Snyman 2/38 in 7.4 overs, while Malusi Siboto was miserly with 1/22 in 18 overs.
Despite their second emphatic victory, the Knights sit third on the Division 2 log with 46.28 points. The Eastern Storm surged back to the top after thumping the Eastern Cape Iinyathi by 206 runs at Willowmoore Park to move up to 53.72 points.
Malusi Siboto. Photo: Morgan Piek
The Garden Route Badgers, coached by former Knights assistant Lotli Sesele, also maintained their perfect start with an innings and 12-run win over the Mpumalanga Rhinos in Oudtshoorn – their second win in as many matches – which lifted them to second on 49.1 points.
Meanwhile, attention now shifts to white-ball cricket this week with the start of the CSA T20 Knockout. On Friday, the Northern Cape Heat will host the Knights at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley in the opening match of the tournament. The first ball is scheduled for 13:00.
