Knights vs Boland (Rocks), CSA Provincial ODI Div 1, Today Match Prediction 26 December 2024

KNG vs BOL Match Prediction & Analysis

Knights will take on Boland in the 15th match of CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division One 2025 at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein on 26th February 2025 at 4:30 pm. This is South Africa's premier domestic 50-over cricket competition that will end on March 16, 2025. The tournament features eight teams. The top teams from the round-robin stage advance to the playoffs and then the final decides the champions.

Currently, Boland are at the top of the table, while the Knights are in fourth place. Boland have been unbeaten so far in the 3 games, while the Knights won just 1 game in the 3 they played this season. It will be interesting to see if Boland manages to get 4th win in a row in this season of the CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Knights Preview

After a superb season, the previous one, where the Knights played in Division Two of the CSA Provincial One Day Challenge, the Knights are struggling this season after 3 games, with 1 win, 1 loss, and 1 no-result game. With 7 points, the Knights are currently placed 4th in the points table with a net run rate of +1.541. In the previous season, the Knights won all 7 games in the League stage in Division Two. In the Final could not get past the SA Emerging Players to win the title.

The Knights started this season with a 4-wicket loss against Northwest. Losing the toss and batting first in a rain-shortened game that was reduced to 48 overs a side, the Knights scored a decent 257 all-out in 47.5 overs. Opener Jacques Snyman was the top scorer with 85 runs, followed by a handy knock from Patrick Botha, scoring 40 runs. In defense, however, the Knights bowlers failed to stop Northwest from getting over the line with 4 wickets and 7 balls to spare. Johannes Van Dyk and Aaron Fungiso took 2 wickets each. The next game against the Warriors was abandoned due to rain after the Knights scored 247 for 7 batting first. Dian Forrester scored a superb knock of 123 not-out in just 105 balls, with 9 fours and 6 sixes. 

In their next game, they were up against Western Province. Again batting first, the Knights scored a big total of 311 in 50 overs, thanks to Dian Forrester who scored the second consecutive century of the season with 113 runs in 99 balls with 4 fours and 5 sixes. Tiaan Van Vuuren took 3 wickets for just 16 runs and was well ed by Malusi Siboto and Dane Piedt who took 2 wickets each to bundle out Western Province for just 154 runs, handing a big 157 runs win to the Knights - their first of the season. The Knights have a tough assignment in their hand against the table-toppers in Boland who are yet to lose a game in this competition this year.

Key players: Dian Forrester, Tiaan van Vuuren, Aaron Phangiso, Dane Piedt

Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Gerrie Snyman, Gihahn Cloete (wk), Lesego Senokwane, Dominic Hendricks, Patrick Botha, Dian Forrester, Tiaan van Vuuren, Aaron Phangiso, Dane Piedt (c), Malusi Siboto, Johannes van Dyk

Boland (Rocks) Preview

Unlike Knights, Boland had a miserable season in the CSA Division 1 Challenge in 2023. Out of the seven games, they managed to win just two and were second last in the points table after the League stage. In the first three games this season, they have already won more games than the previous season. With three wins in three games, Boland are at the top of the table with 14 points and a net run rate of +0.741.

All of Boland's wins have come in chases this season. Their first win was against the Titans. Bowling first, Boland got the Titans all out for just 110 runs in 41.4 overs. Imran Manack and Shaun von Berg took 3 wickets each, giving just a handful of runs to restrict the opponents to a sub-par score. Boland got over the line in 36th over with 5 wickets to spare. Gavin Kaplan was the top scorer with 42 runs.

In the second game, chasing yet another low score, Boland won against the Dolphins by 6 wickets with 11 overs to spare. After restricting the Dolphins to 174 runs, Boland got over the line in the 39th over. Grant Roelofsen and Gavin Kaplan scored valuable half-centuries. Earlier Imran Manack took 4 wickets for 24 runs and was well ed by Aviwe Mgijima who took 3 wickets for 26 runs.

In the previous game against the Warriors, Boland bowled first yet again to restrict the Warriors to a subpar total of 198. Ayabulela Gqamane took three wickets for 24 runs and was well ed by Imran Manack, Lehan Botha, and Akhona Mnyaka who took two wickets each. The chase proved to be a tricky one but Boland eventually got over the line in the 49th over with three wickets to spare. Shaun von Berg played a handy knock with the bat down the order scoring 49 not out, helping Boland get over the line with the help of Imran Manack who scored 37 runs. Bowling is a strong suit for Boland, but their batting needs to start contributing more. All in all, Boland look all set for the fourth win of the season against the Knights.

Key players: Imran Manack, Shaun von Berg, Grant Roelofsen, Gavin Kaplan

Boland (Rocks) Predicted Playing XI:

Blayde Capell, Grant Roelofsen, Gavin Kaplan, Clyde Fortuin (c & wk), Michael Copeland, Lehan Botha, Shaun von Berg, Ayabulela Gqamane, Glenton Stuurman, Imran Manack, Akhona Mnyaka

Weather Conditions

The weather on the match day at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein is expected to be mostly sunny and pleasant. The temperature will range between a high of 31°C and a low of 15°C. There is no significant chance of rain on the match day. It’s a perfect day for a cricket match.

KNG vs BOL Pitch Report

The match will be played at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein. This is one of the prime venues in South Africa, hosting several Tests, ODIs, T20Is, and domestic matches. The first Test was played here in 1999. The ground has relatively even playing conditions and has a seating capacity of about 20,000 spectators.

Toss: To Bowl

A total of 32 ODIs have been played at this venue, with the teams batting first, meaning 15, while the teams batting second, meaning 17 of them. There seems to be a slight advantage to the team bowling first and chasing the target. The team winning the toss should bowl first here.