Cricket
Triegaardt praises Siboto’s leadership heading into the final─── MORGAN PIEK 09:04 Thu, 20 Nov 2025
The Knights coach, JP Triegaardt, has praised veteran seam bowler Malusi Siboto for his captaincy after the team secured a home final in the CSA T20 Knockout.
The 38-year-old stepped into the captaincy role after Proteas spinner Dane Piedt suffered a shoulder injury against Border earlier in the competition.
While the Knights lost by four wickets to Border in East London when Piedt sustained the injury, Siboto has enjoyed an unbeaten run as skipper leading into the final. When the chips were down at times, he took responsibility for himself to lead by example.
Siboto is a super-experienced player and has always been a wily old fox when it comes to his cricket, and that is always handy for any team.
On Tuesday, the Knights edged the Eastern Cape Iinyathi by three runs under the DLS method, and this too came down to some very good leadership on the field. Piedt has also led the team with aplomb, but Siboto brings something different.
Triegaardt told OFM Sport Siboto has been outstanding as a leader and has certainly proven to be a player both he and the team can rely on.
Dane Piedt. Photo: Morgan Piek
“I think with Siboto, he’s done really well – they’re different, really different – but against Iinyathi, I must say the way he marshalled his troops and the bowlers was really good to see,” said Triegaardt.
“It’s not an easy thing out there; sometimes guys don’t know what they need to do with fields, and so far he’s done an excellent job.
“Pietie has started bowling again this week, so there’s really good news for us. He started bowling, so we’ll see as the days progress where he’s at and if he can at least step into the final.”
Malusi Siboto. Photo: Morgan Piek
“If he can’t play the final, he’ll definitely be ready when the four-day series resumes.”
Meanwhile, the Garden Route Badgers will travel to East London to face the Iinyathi on Friday in Qualifier 2 of the T20 Knockout.
On Wednesday, the Badgers beat the Mpumalanga Rhinos by 43 runs in Oudtshoorn in the Eliminator. The Badgers scored 152/6 in their 20 overs before bowling the Rhinos out for 109 in 19.2 overs.
The winner of Friday’s second Qualifier will travel to Bloemfontein to face the Knights in Sunday’s final. The final at the Mangaung Oval will begin at 13:00.
