Big-hitting Proteas batter Jacques Snyman struck his eighth List A century as the Knights thumped Eastern Storm by 183 runs for their fifth win in six matches, keeping them firmly on track for an unprecedented domestic treble.

Batting first on the East Rand, the Knights piled on an imposing 398/5 in their allotted 50 overs, with Snyman leading the charge with the bat. The powerful right-hander smashed 13 fours and seven sixes in a superb knock of 156 off 111 balls, falling just four runs short of his career-best score.

Snyman and 19-year-old Ruben Maree laid the perfect platform with a first-wicket stand of 119 in 17.2 overs before Maree was caught and bowled by Jurie Snyman for a well-played 52 off 53 balls.

Jacques Snyman. Photo: Morgan Piek

Cole Abrahams also chipped in with a useful 36 before he was caught and bowled by Jesse Albanie with the score on 258/2. Four balls later, Snyman’s outstanding innings came to an end when he was caught by Tumelo Simelane off the bowling of Albanie.

Wicketkeeper Ruan Haasbroek then provided the late fireworks, blasting a career-best 94* off just 55 balls. His entertaining innings included nine fours and four sixes, pushing the Knights close to the 400-run mark.

Albanie was the pick of the Storm bowlers with 3/63 in his 10 overs, while Ernest Kemm and Jurie Snyman claimed a wicket apiece.

In reply, the Storm came out with plenty of intent and scored quickly, but the lack of meaningful partnerships meant the Knights' bowlers were rarely under sustained pressure. Despite a solid 60 from Dewan Marais and 49 from Christopher Britz, the Storm were eventually bundled out for 215 in 32.1 overs.

Young left-arm spinner Mbongiseni Mhlanga was the standout with the ball for the Knights, claiming a career-best 3/41 in 6.1 overs. Captain Dane Piedt supported him well with 3/54 in nine overs, while Sithembile Langa took 2/24 in five overs, and Joe van Dyk finished with 2/48 in seven.

Snyman told OFM Sport it was a satisfying victory against a quality opposition and a big step towards hosting a third home final this season.

Ruben Maree. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It’s a great win for the boys today against Eastern Storm. They’re a strong team with a quality batting line-up, and I thought our whole batting unit performed really well. A youngster like Ruben Maree had to open the batting for the first time in his professional career, and he did very well.

“To put nearly 400 runs on the board is a hell of a performance. Haasbroek also played a quality knock. It’s great to see the boys building confidence ahead of the final – or a possible final – that’s what we’re working towards.”

On a personal note, Snyman admitted he was relieved to finally reach three figures this season after coming close in recent matches, including his 82 against the Northern Cape Heat in Bloemfontein.

Jacques Snyman scored 82 on Sunday against the Northern Cape Heat, while Isaac Dikgale scored a career-best 117. Photo: Morgan Piek

“For me personally, it was probably long overdue. I’ve been working hard behind the scenes, so I’m really happy that it finally paid off,” he added. “Our aim as a team is to win all three competitions, so this result takes us another step closer to that goal.

“I’ve had a few starts recently but haven’t been able to convert them, and there have been one or two tough umpiring decisions as well. At the end of the day you can only control what you can control, so I’m just really happy that I could contribute to the win today,” said Snyman.

The Knights’ final round-robin match will be played on Saturday against the Mpumalanga Rhinos in Bloemfontein. Play at Mangaung Oval is scheduled to get underway at 10:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm