The Knights can take a step closer to the One Day Cup playoffs with a victory over the Lions at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Tuesday.
The Knights (19) currently sit fourth on the table, two points behind the Warriors (21) who play the Titans on Tuesday. Back-to-back wins from their last two games will at least put them in the knock-out stages.
The Sunfoil Series champions come off wins against the Titans and the Cape Cobras in their last two matches and will be looking for a third win on the bounce on Human Rights Day.
Nicky Boje refused to think about taking on the Dolphins in that last game and prefers to take it one game at a time.
‘For us the focus is just about each game individually, and at the moment it’s the next one coming up,’ he said. ‘We’re not looking beyond that, so first we have to beat the Lions and then worry about the next game.
‘In saying that, we know that two wins will give us a very good chance of making the playoffs.’
The Lions, in contrast, have lost three matches in a row, to all but slip out of contention, although Boje warned that it was impossible to count them out.
‘I don’t think their form matters too much, we’ve seen with this competition so far it’s how you play on the day that is crucial,’ he added. ‘Form is just temporary as we’ve seen so many teams find that out so far.’
Lions boss Geoffrey Toyana is not prepared to give up, despite their shocking form. With two games to play, the men from Johannesburg have 13 points and their coach is still hopeful of a playoff spot.
‘It was disappointing to lose our last three games,’ Toyana said. ‘But there are two more games and we’re not giving up.’
The Lions would also need to beat the Warriors in their last match and hope the Knights and the Titans are beaten in their last games. These are all being played on Thursday.
‘You never know what could happen in that last round,’ Toyana adds. ‘We just need to do what we need to and then hope for the best.’
Photo: Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images
