The Knights head into the decider unbeaten in the competition and full of belief that they can claim a second piece of silverware this season, after already lifting the T20 Knockout trophy. However, there is no hint of complacency in the Free State camp-especially against an Eastern Storm side that pushed them hard during round two of the competition.

Adding another layer of intrigue, the final will be played over five days instead of the usual four, forcing the Knights to shift into a full Test-match mindset. Patience with both bat and ball will be crucial, but so too will maintaining intensity across the longer format.

While the Knights have all but secured promotion back to Division 1 next season-having topped the tables in both the T20 competition and the first-class campaign-the move has not yet been officially rubber-stamped by Cricket South Africa. As a result, the Free Staters are leaving absolutely nothing to chance.

The objective is clear: push hard for a second trophy and chase an unprecedented clean sweep of all three domestic tournaments this season.

Captain and frontline spinner Dane Piedt told OFM Sport that now is definitely not the time to ease off, especially considering the Knights are still chasing winning all three titles this season.

Malusi Siboto has bowled 148 overs in the competition thus far and has an economy rate of 1.95 - Morgan Piek

“We feel a bit like Arsenal at the moment,” Piedt said with a smile.

“Mikel Arteta spoke about it in a press conference - still competing for four trophies - and we’re in a similar position, trying to compete in all the competitions we’re involved in.

“Our foot’s definitely not off the gas, regardless of how many people say we’ve already qualified for Division 1. What matters is what’s in front of us, and that’s a four-day final-played over five days. A lot of guys haven’t played much five-day cricket. I’ve played 12 Test matches and even then, I haven’t played that many five-day games.

“It’s an exciting opportunity, but the game of cricket doesn’t really change. What we’ve done throughout the competition is the reason we’re here. If that Northern Cape game wasn’t rain-affected, we probably would’ve won all six matches.

With 533 runs, Gihahn Cloete, is the leading run-scorer in the competition - Morgan Piek

“That doesn’t mean we can just pitch up and expect the same outcome against Eastern Storm. Finals are about mindset. Your talent doesn’t change, and form going into a final doesn’t count for much-it’s about performing on the day, even if it is over five days.

“You can hear the energy in the group. The boys are excited, mentally in a good space, and we want to compete for everything. Winning all three tournaments has never been done before in South African franchise cricket, as far as I can remember-so it’s pretty special.”

The CSA 4-Day Series Division 2 final at the Mangaung Oval gets underway on Friday at 10:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport