The Free State Knights were crowned T20 Knockout champions after beating the Eastern Cape Iinyathi by 11 runs in Bloemfontein on Monday.
The final went on to the reserve day at the Mangaung Oval after rain halted play on Sunday.
Batting first, the Knights got off to a solid start, with Gerrit Snyman contributing 26 off 14 balls, including two fours and two sixes. Isaac Dikgale anchored the innings with an impressive 57 from 51 balls, striking four boundaries along the way.
Cole Abrahams (16) and Ruan Haasbroek (23) also added valuable runs as the hosts reached a respectable total of 155-7 in their 20 overs.
The Iinyathi’s Alindile Mhletywa and Kgaudise Molefe took two wickets each.
Nathan Roux led the Iinyathi’s charge with a determined 43 off 34 balls. But the Knights’ bowlers – led by Gerrit Snyman, who took three wickets – kept the opposition in check.
Jason Niemand and Michael Copeland contributed 31 and 26 runs respectively, but their efforts were not enough to steer the Iinyathi to victory.
Photo: CSA
