A David Miller century, backed by an authoritative innings by Luthando Mnyanda, put the Knights in line for their first win of the Sunfoil Series, against the Lions.
The hosts ended the day in Kimberley on 306-4, a lead of 89 runs.
While the 103 off 148 balls by Miller underpinned the innings, the 81 by the opener Mnyanda was all the more remarkable in that he provided all but six runs as the Knights lost two wickets for 59 in 22 overs.
Then he and Miller put on 84 for the third wicket until he was caught behind off the spin off Aaron Phangiso. Miller carried on the good work in the company of Rudi Second, who had to retire hurt on 28 and with Patrick Kruger, who ended the day on 45 off 73 balls.
Miller has not played a first-class game for some time, being preoccupied with the national side in the ODIs and T20s against India, but there were elements of his white-ball prowess in the 10 fours and two sixes he struck off 148 balls.
He was eventually caught behind off the bowling of Nono Pongola, the third wicket for the right-arm medium pacer, who ended with 3-61 off 15 overs.
Werner Coetsee also came to the party with 32 off 45 balls at a rate that suggests they will press the accelerator on day three.
Time is of the essence though, because the Lions will be determined to better their first-innings offering of 217. They were 159-8 at the close of a shortened day one, but there was a stubborn rearguard fight by Dwaine Pretorius, who moved on from 42 overnight to 76, and Sean Jamison at No 10, scoring 35 off 96 balls, with just four fours.
The Lions have suffered two losses in this Sunfoil Series, while the Knights are looking for their first win after seven rounds.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
