On Friday the Iinyathi booked their spot in the final with a convincing 25-run win against the Garden Route Badgers in East London during Qualifier 2, and it will be the second time this week that they meet the Free Staters.

The Iinyathi batted first at Buffalo Park and scored 155/4 in their allotted 20 overs with the captain and former Knights opening batter, Nathan Roux, leading the charge with 68 off 47 balls featuring three fours and four sixes.

Wian Ruthven in turn chipped in with 30 off 28, while Jade Richter was the pick of the SWD bowlers with 3/24 in his 4 overs.

In reply, George van Heerden played a 65 not out off 48 balls and was the only Badgers batter to trouble the scorers as they were bowled out for 130 runs in their 20 overs.

Thando Ntini, son of the Proteas bowling great, Makhaya Ntini, was the pick of the Iinyathi bowlers with 4/16 in his 4 overs, while Alindale Mhetywa took 3/23 in 4 as they earned the right to face the Knights for silverware.

Cole Abrahams - Charlé Lombard

Meanwhile, earlier in the week the Knights beat the Iinyathi by 3 runs according to the DLS method, and the win probably looked a lot closer than it was. Had the rain and hail not played a role, the Knights would have cruised to victory.

Knights batter and star fielder, Ruan Haasbroek, told OFM Sport that they are excited for the opportunity for silverware that awaits.

“We’re excited - it’s a great opportunity to play in another final, and it’s going to be a big one for Free State,” said Haasbroek.

“We’re sticking to our processes and focusing on what we need to do heading into Sunday. The team

is confident and looking forward to it.”

Haasbroek added that they won’t be focusing on their opponent too much but will instead take their own game ball-by-ball.

“That’s been our approach throughout the campaign - focusing on what we need to do. It helps that we’ve already played against one of the possible opponents, so we know what they bring.

“There’s a bit of an unknown with the other team, but we’re confident regardless of who we face in the final.”

Haasbroek added that while they edged Border earlier in the week, they do still take confidence from the game, especially as they lost to them by 4 wickets in the campaign in East London.

“The scoreboard suggested the previous game was closer than it felt. We cruised through the chase comfortably, without sounding arrogant.

“So we’re confident facing them again if they make the final. It would be great to get another one over them and send them home empty-handed.”

Sunday’s eagerly anticipated final between the Knights and Iinyathi at the Mangaung Oval is scheduled to start at 13:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport