Cricket South Africa have confirmed the Knights have been relegated to division two of South African domestic cricket.
Whether the Knights remain relegated, though, will be decided later this year. They ended the cumulative points table for the 2024-25 domestic season in last position, but are disputing this with CSA.
The Warriors were penalised for not fielding enough black African players in a win over the Dolphins in the One-Day Cup earlier this season. They lost points, but not the victory. The Knights want the Warriors’ win removed.
If the win is removed, the Knights will effectively move above the Warriors on the cumulative points table.
Division one – all competitions – cumulative points table
| Position | Team | Points allocation – 4-Day | 1-Day | T20 | Total points as of 9 April 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Lions | 15 | 2 | 15 | 32 |
| 2. Titans | 10 | 7 | 10 | 27 |
| 3. Boland | 5 | 15 | 3 | 23 |
| 4. Dolphins | 7 | 10 | 1 | 18 |
| 5. North West | 1 | 1 | 7 | 9 |
| 6. Western Province | 3 | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| 7. Warriors | 0 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| 8. Knights | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
“It is very difficult to deal with. I was part of the Knights for the One-Day Cup campaign, so you get a feel of how intense it can get when that axe is looming over people’s heads,” said Lions batsman Dominic Hendricks, who was loaned to the Knights earlier this year.
“I do feel for them because they have played some decent cricket this season and the games they lost in the last couple of overs could have gone in any direction.
“You really do feel for them, but it is in the nature of our system that this has been implemented. It is something we have to deal with, but it’s the Knights who again have to bear the brunt of it.”
Titans captain Neil Brand added: “It is tough on the Knights. I don’t think they deserve to go down, but that’s the nature of how things are and I am not going to comment on the system.
“It is what it is and I am not sure if it will be changing in the future.
“It will be a big financial blow for the Knights. It is sad to see.”