Over the weekend, the Knights managed to finish at the top of the log with the two points they claimed in the rained-out match against the Garden Route Badgers at the Mangaung Oval. While a rained-out game is never ideal, it worked in the Knights’ favour as they edged the Iinyathi into first place. 

In doing so, the Free State side secured the 15 valuable points on offer in the promotion/relegation race. That was the first goal for the Knights, and now the second is to claim silverware, though there is still quite a way to go.

Jacques Snyman. Photo: Morgan Piek

Hosting the final is anything but a given for the Knights, as Border is the one team that managed to beat them in the league stage of the competition. The Iinyathi stunned the Knights with a four-wicket win at Buffalo Park in East London in round four – and it was a day where the visitors simply did not turn up.

This time, the game is in Bloemfontein, and the Knights are unbeaten at home this season – unlike previously, especially during the 2024/25 campaign, when they struggled at home, which ultimately led to their relegation.

Big-hitting opening batter Jacques Snyman told OFM Sport that the first objective was achieved, and now it’s a matter of doing what they have done all season, and fighting for a home final.

“Yeah, look, I think we’ve been playing good cricket throughout the season, and we do deserve the 15 points for the promotion standings,” said Snyman.

“That was obviously our big goal from the start of the season, and as a unit, we’re very happy that’s the first step.

“We’re looking forward to Tuesday against the Iinyathi – they obviously beat us when we played them, but this time we have the home-ground advantage.

“We’re more than ready, we’ve done our homework, and hopefully we can get the win on Tuesday and secure a home final – that's the big goal.

Rilee Rossouw. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Like I’ve been saying, we’ve been playing good cricket. It’s just about trusting our game plans and executing on the day, and I’m pretty sure the result will take care of itself.”

Should the Knights fall short against Border, they will get another bite of the cherry by playing in Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator between the Badgers and Mpumalanga Rhinos on Wednesday in Oudtshoorn. The second Qualifier will be played on Friday at a venue yet to be determined.

The Knights should also have the luxury of the big-hitting Rilee Rossouw in action for the game, while it remains to be seen if the new all-rounder, Ross Boast, will be available following his exams, which kept him out of the wins against the Rhinos and Eastern Storm, as well as the weekend’s washout.

Play at the Mangaung Oval is scheduled to start at 13:00 on Tuesday.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs