Following their defeat against the Lions last weekend, the Cobras will be looking to make a return to winning ways when they take on the Knights in a four-day match in Paarl starting on Saturday.
Rory Kleinveldt is likely to sit out for the Cobras this weekend due to tonsillitis, opening the door for a return for veteran all-rounder Justin Kemp.
Kemp’s last appearance was during the Champions League T20 in October when he fielded a ball and disturbed pins in his hand from a previous injury. That mishap has kept the 37-year-old out of action this season.
Spinner Dane Piedt could also return from injury while Cobras coach Paul Adams might decide to bring in Sybrand Engelbrecht to shore up the batting.
Against the Lions, the Cobras’ top four batsmen contributed just 96 runs across two innings.
Drafting in Engelbrecht would add some depth to the batting, while the 26-year-old also offers off-spin to the bowling attack.
Last season, “offie” Piedt finished the four-day series as the top wicket-taker, and a tough call might have to be made on the spin component, given that incumbent left-arm spinner GF Linde has been in good form.
Adams will be looking to make the most of the depth of quality in his side as the Cobras could face a shortage of players early next year with the World Cup and a South Africa A tour coinciding.
Selection for the SA second string could see the Cobras without Justin Ontong, Piedt, Beuran Hendricks, Kleinveldt, Andrew Puttick, Mthokozisi Shezi and Stiaan van Zyl
With so many players possibly out, Adams would have to turn to promising youngsters such as Keegan Petersen, Clyde Fortuin and Travis Muller.
Possible Cobras team: Justin Ontong (captain), Richard Levi, Andrew Puttick, Omphile Ramela, Yaseen Vallie, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Dane Vilas, Justin Kemp, GF Linde, Beuran Hendricks, Mthokozisi Shezi, Dane Piedt, Lizaad Williams - Cape Argus