It will also close the Division 2 chapter for the Free State after the side secured promotion back up to Division 1 for the foreseeable future. They have already won the T20 Knockout and the 4-Day Series.

On Wednesday, the Iinyathi booked their place in a second final against the Knights this season, beating the Mpumalanga Rhinos by six wickets at Buffalo Park in East London in their qualifier.

The Rhinos won the toss and elected to bat first, but they were bowled out for 178 in 43.2 overs. Yassar Cook anchored the innings with a patient 54 off 105 balls, while Benjamin van Niekerk added 32, and wicketkeeper Zakir Kathrada provided early impetus with a quickfire 29. 

Jacques Snyman. Photo: Morgan Piek

Apart from captain Muhammed Mayet’s 27, no other batter managed to reach double figures, as the innings lost momentum badly. There were also 14 extras.

Thando Ntini – son of Proteas legend Makhaya Ntini – was the pick of the bowlers with 3/32 in 7.2 overs. Nico van Zyl chipped in with 2/33, while Alindile Mhletywa returned tidy figures of 2/34 in his nine overs.

In reply, the Iinyathi stumbled early, losing captain Nathan Roux (11) and Lihle Sizani (7) in the first five overs with the score on 23. However, Wian Ruthven’s 32 steadied the ship before Jason Niemand (59 off 85) and Michael Copeland (an unbeaten 59 off 86) combined to guide the side home comfortably in 37 overs.

Bryn Brokensha with 2/31 and Jon Hinrichsen with 2/43 were the Rhinos’ most effective bowlers, but they couldn’t prevent the Iinyathi from sealing a composed win.

Earlier this season, the Knights claimed the first piece of silverware on offer when they beat the Iinyathi by 11 runs in Bloemfontein in the T20 Knockout final – a result that adds extra spice to Sunday’s decider.

Now, the Knights stand on the brink of something special. They are chasing a rare domestic treble – a feat last achieved by the famed “Mean Machine” Transvaal side of 1984/85, featuring greats such as Clive Rice, Jimmy Cook, Ray Jennings, Graeme Pollock, and Alan Kourie.

Isaac Dikgale scored a career-best 117 against the Northern Cape Heat. Photo: Morgan Piek

Knights captain and Proteas spinner Dane Piedt told OFM Sport the magnitude of the occasion isn’t lost on the team, but stressed their focus remains firmly on the task at hand.

“It’s massive. Building up to this stage of the competition, this is the biggest game, especially with a third trophy on the line,” said Piedt.

“But we’re not reading too much into it, to be honest. Our focus is on what we need to do. This will be the fifth time we’ve faced the Iinyathi this season – we’ve won three and lost one – so we know it’s going to be a tough contest.

The 19-year-old Ruben Maree has played a few gems with the bat during the One-Day Cup. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We’re technically playing away from home, in inverted commas, but a number of the guys have spent a lot of time playing cricket in Kimberley, so that does help.

“It should be a really good game. Hopefully we can get over the line – with no rain interruptions – and lift the trophy.”

Sunday’s final between Free State and Border at the Diamond Oval is scheduled to get underway at 10:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek  sm