CSA ONE-DAY CUP WRAP: Knights off the mark, Boland stay unbeaten

A second successive unbeaten century from Dian Forrester guided the Knights to their first win of the One-Day Cup season thanks to a 157-run demolition of World Sports Betting Western Province in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

It was a first victory of the campaign for the Free State outfit, while there was also a third win out of three for log leaders Goldrush Boland, who edged out the Dafabet Warriors by three wickets in a see-saw affair in Gqeberha.

Allrounder Forrester was the star at the Mangaung Oval where 311 for six played 154 all out. The 24-year-old, who struck 123* in the Knights’ rained-out affair against the Warriors in midweek, blasted 113* off 99 balls (4 fours, 5 sixes) this time around to bolster his side to a formidable total after winning the toss and batting. He now has 257 runs in three innings.

🚨 MATCH RESULT 🚨

The Knights ⚔️ came out guns blazing as they dominated proceedings in the second innings, ensuring a massive 157-run victory over the defending champions 🔥🙆‍♂️🏏#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/PydqDqKtpg

— CSA Domestic Leagues (@DomesticCSA) February 22, 2025

There were also 40s by Patrick Botha (43), Malusi Siboto (40) and Tiaan Van Vuuren, who bashed four sixes in an 18-ball unbeaten 41.

The latter then claimed three for 16 in 5.4 overs to help the hosts blow away the defending champions in 34.4 overs.

George Linde (37) and Kyle Simmonds (35*) were the only two batters to cross the 30 mark – Province slumping to their second loss in three in the process.

Meanwhile, at Dafabet St George's Park, spinners Imran Manack and Shaun von Berg played key roles with the bat to help Boland chase down 198 with 11 balls to spare.

After winning the toss and bowling, the visiting bowlers responded well by limiting their hosts to under 200 in 43.4 overs.

Goldrush Boland make it 3/3 with a victory over the Dafabet Warriors 🏏🔥#1DayCup | #SummerOfCricket pic.twitter.com/z8ZuUqjnst

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) February 22, 2025

Ayabulela Gqamane was the pick of the bowlers with three for 24, while there were doubles for Manack (2-48), Lehan Botha (2-28) and Akhona Mnyaka (2-32).

Boland then found themselves in huge trouble at 103 for six and then 128 for seven as Alfred Mothoa (3-34) and Senuran Muthusamy (2-35) offered excellent control with the ball.

However, Von Berg (49*) and Manack (37*) combined for an unbroken 73-run eighth wicket stand that sealed the win.