The Proteas seamer, Duanne Olivier, is linked with a return to Bloemfontein to continue his cricket at the ITEC Knights.

The 31-year-old Lions seamer played for the Knights from 2010 until 2019 before becoming a Kolpak player.

According to the Rapport Olivier, is set to leave the Lions, while another former Knight, Malusi Siboto, is looking at calling it a day.

Olivier became a Protea while still at the Knights in 2017 and he has gone on to take 59 wickets in 16 Tests.  He only recently made a return to the Proteas as he was barred from playing for South Africa due to his Kolpak status.

With the Knights being promoted back up to Division 1 for next season, Olivier is linked with a return, while the names of the Malan brothers, Pieter and Janneman, have also been mentioned.

The Knights will be looking to retain the majority of their squad that earned them promotion back up from Division 1, however, with an additional six spots up from grabs, the Free State will have some voids to fill.

Both brothers have represented South Africa, with Pieter having played in three Tests, while Janneman has played in 23 ODI's and 11 T20I's.

Whether or not any of the three players will head to Bloemfontein remains to be seen.

Last week the Knights CEO, Johan van Heerden, told OFM Sport that they have already begun with the contracting process and they are excited about their return to the top-flight of domestic cricket in South Africa.

“We have done what we need to do to get back into Division 1 and we have been promoted back,” said Van Heerden.

“It's sad that we weren't able to win a trophy and it would have been great to maybe have one or two of those trophies in our cabinet.

“We're all geared for Division 1, we're already busy with the contracting for that and we're looking forward to the new cricket season which will be starting in September.”

Morgan Piek OFM Sport