Van Biljon has been the teams regular captain for a number of seasons now, however, the all-rounder Aubrey Swanepoel, took charge of the team during the recent CSA T20 Challenge in Potchefstroom.

The Knights are set to open their campaign on Thursday when they host the North West Dragons in Bloemfontein.

There are however questions regarding the whereabouts of the bat, Raynard van Tonder, as well as the seamer, Migael Pretorius, for their opening game of the season.

The pair are excluded from the squad for the game.

Van Biljon feels there is a good energy in the camp heading into the series.

“We had a big improvement in the T20 competition compared to last year, so will be looking to do the same in the four-day competition this season.

“We've started a nice trend here and a nice culture in the team, so we are definitely looking to expand on that.”

Play between the Knights and Dragons at the Mangaung Oval is set to begin at 10:00 tomorrow morning.

In the other Division 1 games of round one - the Rocks will host the Warriors in Paark, while the Titans are at home to Western Province in Centurion.

Knights squad - Pite van Biljon (captain), Gihahn Cloete (wicketkeeper), Matthew Kleinveldt, Isaac Dikgale, Patrick Kruger, Patrick Botha, Aubrey Swanepoel, Gerald Coetzee, Nealan van Heerden, Nipho Mpungose, Mbulelo Budaza, Jacques Snyman, Mbongi Mhlanga

Morgan Piek OFM Sport