The victory strengthened the Knights’ grip at the top of the table and moved them a step closer to hosting the final. With no semi-finals in the competition, the team that finishes top advances straight to a home final, while the sides placed second and third will face off in a qualifier, with the winner progressing to the championship match. 

Should the Knights secure a home final, this will be played at the University of the Free State Oval on 22 March.

After winning the toss, the Knights opted to bat first at the Mangaung Oval and posted an imposing 307/6 in their allotted 50 overs.

Jacques Snyman scored 82 for his 11th List 5 half century. Photo: Morgan Piek

Opening batter Isaac Dikgale stole the show with the bat, although Jacques Snyman and Ruben Maree also made key contributions in building a formidable total.

Snyman and Dikgale laid a strong foundation with a 115-run opening stand. Snyman was eventually bowled by former Knights spinner Tshepo Ntuli in the 20th over for an excellent 82 off 71 balls, an innings that included nine fours and a six.

Dikgale continued to anchor the innings and shared a 125-run second-wicket partnership with Maree before the latter was caught and bowled by Odirile Modimokoane for 64 off 63 deliveries.

Ruben Maree, 19, hitting one of this seven fours en route to 64. Photo: Morgan Piek

Dikgale went on to register his maiden List A century. He had reached 117 off 137 balls when he was run out by captain Ronan Herrmann with the score on 300/4 in the 49th over.

Modimokoane was the pick of the Heat bowlers with 2/47 in nine overs, while Joseph van Rensburg took 2/52 and Ntuli returned figures of 1/36 in 7.1 overs.

The Heat’s chase got off to a nightmare start when former Knights wicketkeeper Garnett Tarr was bowled for a duck with the fifth ball of the innings, with seamer Sithembile Langa striking early and continuing his fine form in the competition.

Isaac Dikgale is seen celebrating reaching his 50. Photo: Morgan Piek

A 153-run second-wicket stand between Morné Venter and Nonelela Yikha briefly gave the Heat hope and frustrated the Knights bowlers. The breakthrough eventually came in the 35th over when young spinner Bongi Mhlanga trapped Yikha LBW for 68 off 102 balls. 

Herrmann added just one run before he was caught behind by Ruan Haasbroek off Langa's five balls later. Mhlanga struck again in the following over, removing Venter for 73 after he was caught by Maree.

The 39-year-old former Knights and Eagles all-rounder Romano Terblanche provided some late resistance with a quickfire 52 before he was caught by captain Dane Piedt off the bowling of Malusi Siboto.

The dangerous Garnett Tarr was bowled out by Sithembile Langa in the first over. Photo: Morgan Piek

Once Terblanche departed, the remaining wickets tumbled, although the Heat managed to bat out their overs to finish on 249/9. Langa was the standout bowler for the Knights with 4/44 in his 10 overs, while Mhlanga claimed 2/42 and Siboto chipped in with 2/34 in seven overs.

The Knights are back on the road for their midweek clash when they take on the dangerous Eastern Storm in Benoni on Wednesday in another crucial fixture. A win, especially with a bonus point, could be enough to secure a home final, before they wrap up their campaign against the Mpumalanga Rhinos in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Wednesday’s match at Willowmoore Park is scheduled to start at 10:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm