De Bruyn has point to prove

Players hardly every admit that they have a score to settle against a former team and in many instances the departure was friendly.

Yet when the Knights and Titans meet in Bloemfontein tonight for a domestic T20 challenge clash, it’s difficult not to feel Theunis de Bruyn (above) has a point to prove.

The stylish 25-year-old batsman’s move to the central franchise last season received a fair amount of attention, specifically because he was initially considered a big part of the Titans’ future.

However, the Centurion-based franchise’s massive depth and Cricket South Africa’s transformation requirements meant his place was uncertain.

After being initially loaned out, De Bruyn is now Knights skipper and made his international debut last season.

The right-hander has a patchy T20 record against his former team as last season’s 47 off 34 balls in Kimberley has been interspersed with scores of five and three. So he’s yet to remind the Titans what they’re missing.

It won’t be De Bruyn’s focus though.

He will not only come up against two established Protea middle order batsmen in AB de Villiers and Farhaan Behardien but also Aiden Markram.

In fact, the battle with Markram – who didn’t even bat against the Lions last Sunday – could be fun because it’s thought those two would be competing for a spot in the national side.