While Rilee Rossouw delivered another masterful performance with the willow and wicketkeeper Gihahn Cloete continued his purple patch with the bat, it was the 20-year-old debutant Ross Boast who stole the show with a stunning display of bowling.

The Impalas won the toss and invited the Knights to bat first on the brand-new strip at the Mangaung Oval. The Knights themselves admitted that they would have preferred to bowl first as well, but ultimately, it turned out to be a good toss to lose.

Power-hitting by the Proteas duo of Rossouw and Cloete led Free State to 199/4 in their allotted 20 overs.

Rossouw smashed nine huge sixes and a single four as he scored 83 not out off 36 balls to back up the 93 off 46 he made on Friday against the Northern Cape Heat in Kimberley.

Gihan Cloete - Morgan Piek

The in-form Cloete, in turn, scored 66 off 36 with 13 fours and a six.

Cole Abrahams was looking good with the bat before he was trapped LBW. Jacques Snyman was starting to find his groove before he too was trapped LBW for 16 runs. The young all-rounder Boast faced eight balls for his unbeaten 4 runs in his first senior game.

Hlompo Modinokoane was the pick of the Impalas bowlers with 2/34 in his four overs, while Ludwig Kaestner and Atwell Mokgoloboto each took a wicket.

The Impalas’ innings got off to a rather strange start chasing 200 runs for the win. Fast bowler Joe van Dyk bowled Liam Peters out with the first ball when the batter played onto his stumps. Then the wheels came off for Van Dyk somehow, as he conceded 26 runs - 13 off the bat and 13 wides. The lanky fast bowler did atone for his sins by bowling Sizwe Masondo out for 12 off the final ball of the over, sending the batter’s middle stump cartwheeling.

Former Knights batter CP Klijnhans once again made life difficult for his old teammates with 30 off 21 before being trapped LBW by captain Dane Piedt.

Boast, who is the younger brother of former Junior Protea and Titan Matthew Boast, came on from the Willows End and, in the space of just 2.5 overs, wrapped up the Impalas innings with 5/12 to claim a five-for on debut and secure the win as the visitors were bowled out for 100 in 14.5 overs.

Jacques Snyman - Morgan Piek

Piedt, in turn, took 2/14 in three overs, while Van Dyk claimed 2/26 in his single over.

Speaking to OFM Sport after his phenomenal piece of bowling, Boast said it all happened so quickly, as just a week ago he was barely part of the squad.

“I'm lost for words, to be honest. I've worked for a long time for this, and it’s just crazy how quickly it all happens,” said Boast, who is still a student at the University of Stellenbosch.

“It all happened so fast. I literally came here last week, and I didn’t expect it at all. I did pretty well in the inter-squad games, and now I’m here - it’s just crazy how the world works. I didn’t expect it to happen.”

Rilee Rossouw - Knights

Boast, a product of Hilton College in the KZN Midlands, added that Bloemfontein is certainly different from what he’s used to, but he’s been made to feel very welcome by his new teammates.

“Yeah, obviously I’m not used to it. I had a team night out with the guys the other day, and it was completely different to what I’m used to, but it was awesome. It’s such a cool place, such a cool environment.

“The guys have welcomed me so nicely and, yeah, it’s very different from what I’m used to back home and in Stellenbosch, but I’m loving every minute of it.”

While his brother has achieved quite a bit in his young career already, Boast added that there’s no rivalry between the siblings - and it’s all about supporting each other along the way.

Dane Piedt - Morgan Piek

“Not at all. I actually spoke to my dad last night, and he was just saying he’s so proud because he knew I was making my debut today,” Boast added.

“But the thing he said he was proudest of is how Matt and I back each other. We’ve always been competitive, but I want him to do well more than I want myself to do well.

“It’s awesome - it was my day today, it might be his day this week. He’s obviously playing in the Division 1 comp and has done really well in the four-day series, but, yeah, I just want him to do well and all the best with his future.”

Boast will travel with the team to face the Eastern Cape Iinyathi on the weekend before returning to Stellenbosch to write his Investment Management exams.

Saturday’s match between the Iinyathi and Knights at Buffalo Park in East London is scheduled to get underway at 13:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport