At the close of play, the log-leading Knights – chasing promotion – trailed by 53 runs with six wickets in hand on a lively day that saw 14 wickets tumble at the White River Cricket Club. The Rhinos won the toss and elected to bat first, but were bundled out for 179 in their opening innings after 58.5 overs.

By lunch, the hosts were under real pressure at 83/5, having lost regular wickets with no meaningful partnerships to speak of. However, after the interval, they showed some grit thanks largely to former Knights captain and allrounder Aubrey Swanepoel.

Swanepoel was unbeaten on 11 at lunch but did not resume batting immediately after the break due to a niggle. Following two quick wickets, he returned to the crease and proceeded to frustrate his former teammates with a composed knock. 

Aubrey Swanepoel. Photo: Morgan Piek

Swanepoel top-scored for the Rhinos with 51 off 87 balls, including nine fours, before eventually being bowled by the on-fire Tiaan van Vuuren.

Bryn Brokensha also dug in lower down the order, contributing a fighting 45 off 75 balls to further test the patience of the Knights’ bowling attack.

Van Vuuren was the standout for the Knights with an impressive 2/28 in 11.5 overs, while veteran seamer Malusi Siboto matched him with 2/28 in 18 overs. Returning captain Dane Piedt was the most economical, conceding just 25 runs in his 12 overs while picking up one wicket.

In reply, the Knights made a fairly solid start, putting on 43 for the first wicket before Isaac Dikgale was caught behind for 15 off Themba Maupa. Ten runs later, wicketkeeper Gihahn Cloete was back in the hut after edging Bryn Brokensha to Zakir Kathrada, departing for a brisk 35 off 39 deliveries.

Patrick Botha chipped in with 22 and Ruben Maree added five as the Knights moved to 94/2 in the 24th over.

Ruan Haasbroek, fresh off a career-best 174 in East London last week, once again showed his class, steadying the innings with 29 not out off 42 balls. He was well supported by Seth Fledermaus, unbeaten on 17, as the Knights closed the day on 126/4.

Day two in White River is scheduled to get underway at 09:30 on Friday morning.

Tiaan van Vuuren. Photo: Morgan Piek

Meanwhile, in Oudtshoorn, a match with major implications for the Knights’ promotion push saw Eastern Storm reach 241/3 at stumps on day one against the Garden Route Badgers.

The Badgers won the toss and opted to bowl first – a decision they may well regret. Jurie Snyman top-scored for the visitors from Benoni with 57 off 131 balls, while captain Ernest Kemm anchored the innings with a patient 54 off 196 deliveries. Christopher Britz added a solid 53 off 145.

At stumps, Kabelo Sekhukhune was unbeaten on 34, with Dewan Marais on 26 not out.

Tyrese Karelse was the pick of the Badgers’ bowlers with 2/25 in 15 overs, while Zack Momberg claimed 1/43 in 17.

Over in Polokwane, the Northern Cape Heat trailed by 143 runs at stumps in the bottom-of-the-log clash against the Limpopo Impalas.

The Impalas batted first and were bowled out for 178 after 56.4 overs, with former Knight and captain CP Klijnhans leading the charge with a blistering 97 off 98 balls before being run out.

In response, the Heat reached 35 without loss by stumps, with Tristan van Rensburg unbeaten on 21 and Tahir Isaacs on 12 not out.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cv