August 13, 2026

This Women’s Month, Titans Cricket celebrates the women who represent the Fidelity Titans. We honour their resilience and immense commitment to the sport as they inspire the next generation on and off the field. Our first feature shines the spotlight on Masabata Klaas, a powerhouse Fidelity Titans all-rounder and seasoned Protea who has proudly represented South Africa in over 150 international matches.

Born on February 3, 1991, in Botshabelo in the Free State, Masabata’s love for the game began at the age of eleven at Selokisa Primary School.

“I started by playing with the boys, and the very first thing I did was bowl,” she fondly recalls. “I used to bowl with a bent elbow until one of the boys showed me how to do it properly.”

Even as the only girl among the boys, nothing could deter her. From the moment she understood the game, Masabata held a single-minded vision: to become the first woman from her township to represent her country.

Her relentless determination paid off, carrying her from dusty township fields to the summit of international cricket. One of her major career highlights came in May 2019 against Pakistan, when she became only the second South African woman in history to claim a One-Day International (ODI) hat-trick.

Throughout her journey, her mother, Paulinah Klaas, has remained her ultimate source of inspiration and strength.

When she joined the Fidelity Titans, her impact was immediate. During her debut Hollywoodbets Pro20 campaign, Masabata topped both the batting and bowling averages for the team. She claimed seven scalps across five T20 matches at an average of just 15.00, while maintaining an economical rate of 5.52 runs per over. Proving her caliber as a genuine all-rounder, she also delivered explosive performances with the bat, scoring 94 runs across four innings at a striking rate of 130.55, and being dismissed only once.

While her records on the pitch speak for themselves, Masabata cherishes the camaraderie within the squad just as deeply. Among her favourite memories in the Fidelity Titans colours are the joyous, light-hearted team fines sessions following a victorious match.

Masabata Klaas stands as an exceptional example of what it means to rise, rule, and reign. To young women and aspiring cricketers looking up to her, her message is simple yet profound: “Follow your dream, because dreams really do come true.”