Currently third on the log, the Knights hit the road for their last two first-class matches of the season. They face the Eastern Cape Iinyathi from Thursday in East London, before travelling to White River next week to take on the Mpumalanga Rhinos.

The Free Staters returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion over the weekend, claiming an outstanding seven-wicket victory against the then log-leaders, the Garden Route Badgers. 

That result in Bloemfontein saw the Badgers slip to second place, while Eastern Storm moved to the top of the standings following a crushing win over the Northern Cape Heat in Benoni.

Dane Piedt. Photo: Morgan Piek

Importantly, the Knights still have a game in hand on both the Badgers and Easterns, who are set to face each other in Oudtshoorn in the final round of the competition.

Victory over Border this weekend would see the Knights climb to the summit of the log. However, the trip to East London will be no easy task. The Iinyathi remain the only side to have beaten the Knights this season, doing so during the round-robin phase of the CSA T20 Knockout. 

That said, the Knights had the final say in the shortest format, beating Border in both Qualifier 1 and the Final in Bloemfontein – something the hosts will be eager to avenge.

The Knights have been further boosted by the return of regular captain Dane Piedt, powerful opening batter Jacques Snyman, and left-arm seamer Tiaan van Vuuren. The trio were recently on SA20 duty with outgoing champions MI Cape Town, who endured a tough campaign and finished bottom of the log.

Their return brings invaluable experience at a crucial stage of the season as the Knights target two more victories to secure promotion with a competition to spare.

Speaking to OFM Sport, head coach JP Triegaardt praised his side’s response after coming under early pressure against the Badgers at the Mangaung Oval.

“The guys really came back strongly. We didn’t start well with the ball or the bat in the first innings, but in the second innings, the players pulled together, stuck to the plan, and executed the way we should have from the start. It was a massive comeback and a big win for the entire team.”

Jacques Snyman. Photo: Morgan Piek

Triegaardt added that beating the team at the top of the log is always a key target.

“Beating the top team is always a challenge and something we really strive for. After beating SWD, our focus now is to put our best foot forward and try to finish first on the log, although we still have two very crucial games in hand.”

Looking ahead to East London, Triegaardt acknowledged that Buffalo Park is never an easy venue and stressed the importance of a disciplined, ball-by-ball approach.

“We’ve found ourselves on the back foot in the T20s after losing to Iinyathi, so that’s something we really want to fix. We need to make sure we get the right things in place when we go down there and put in a big performance to get this win.”

He also highlighted how players stepped up in the absence of senior figures, while admitting that the return of his star players presents some healthy selection headaches.

“With the SA20 done, we’re getting our players back, which is a big positive. The team has done well without them, but the experience Dane Piedt brings with the ball – especially in East London – along with Tiaan van Vuuren and Jacques Snyman, is invaluable. I’ll look at the conditions and what’s required to put out the best-balanced team.”

Tiaan van Vuuren. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It’s a privilege to have players of that calibre available at this stage. Certain guys are really stepping up with bat and ball at the right time, and I’m excited about the trip to Iinyathi and then heading to Mpumalanga for our final four-day match.”

Weather and conditions in East London could play a role, but at this stage no rain is forecast.

The CSA 4-Day Series clash between the Eastern Cape Iinyathi and the Knights gets underway at Buffalo Park on Thursday at 10:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs