South Africa, long regarded as a powerhouse in the world of rally-raid, is set to take centre stage as it hosts a World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) round for the first time. The highly anticipated South African Safari Rally, presented by Toyota Gazoo Racing, forms the third leg of the 2025 W2RC season and will be held from 18–24 May with Sun City Resort in the North West Province as the event’s rally HQ.
With deep roots in off-road motorsport and a legacy of Dakar success, South Africa’s inclusion on the W2RC calendar marks a defining moment for the championship – one that sees the country move from proving ground to global host.
A Star-Studded Lineup in the Ultimate Class
At the heart of the spectacle lies the FIA’s Ultimate category, where the world’s finest off-road talent will battle it out across punishing African terrain. Leading the charge are Nasser Al-Attiyah and Sébastien Loeb, the headline duo of The Dacia Sandriders. Al-Attiyah, reigning W2RC champion and recent winner in Abu Dhabi, partners with Edouard Boulanger, while Loeb – a multiple World Rally Champion – is joined by Fabian Lurquin, as both drivers hunt for another coveted win.
Adding to the allure are two rallying legends making a formidable return: Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma, piloting the Ford M-Sport Raptor entries. With navigators Lucas Cruz and Alex Haro respectively, this Ford-backed effort promises a blend of experience, tenacity, and fierce competition.
The field deepens with entries from the X-RAID MINI JCW Team, with Guillaume de Mévius/Xavier Panseri and João Ferreira/Filipe Palmeiro poised to challenge the frontrunners.
But no lineup would be complete without Toyota Gazoo Racing, which brings a five-strong armada of GR Hilux EVOs. Rising stars Lucas Moraes/Armand Monleon and Seth Quintero/Dennis Zenz are joined by a trio of South African heroes: Henk Lategan/Brett Cummings, Saood Variawa/François Cazalet, and Guy Botterill/Dennis Murphy. For these local contenders, the African dust is home turf – and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Complementing the Toyota effort are international Overdrive Racing Hilux entries and South African #TeamHilux crews, including former Dakar champion Giniel de Villiers.
The Ultimate class also sees competitive efforts from PS Laser Racing, Century Racing, Red-Lined Motorsport, and Neil Woolridge Motorsport, ensuring a deeply competitive field from start to finish.
Challenger, SSV, and Quad Categories Bring Further Depth
In the Challenger class, a four-car showdown between BBR Motorsport’s Taurus T3 Max entries promises fireworks. Former Dakar winner Nicolas Cavigliasso/Valentina Pertegarini face stiff competition from teammates Pau Navarro/Lisandro Sisterna, David Zille/Sebastian Cesana, and Dania Akeel/Stephane Duple. South Africa’s Puck Klaassen/Charan Moore aim to shake things up for the locals.
In SSV, all eyes are on Alexandre Pinto/Bernardo Oliviera, who lead the standings in their Can-Am Maverick R, but will be challenged by MMP’s Enrico Gaspari/Fausto Mota and Claude Fournier/Patrick Jimbert, along with entries from CST Xtreme Plus Polaris and others.
The Quad category also delivers intrigue, as Antanas Kanopkinas, winner in Abu Dhabi, returns on his CFMOTO Thunder Racing machine, joined by podium finishers Gaetan Martinez and Marek Loj, along with South Africa’s own Carien Teessen.
RallyGP, Rally2, and Malle Moto: Two Wheels, One Epic Battle
In the FIM RallyGP motorcycle class, Red Bull KTM’s Daniel Sanders is the man to beat, having claimed back-to-back wins at Dakar and Abu Dhabi. He’s joined by teammate Luciano Benavides, while Hero Motosports fields Ross Branch and José Ignacio Cornejo.
Monster Energy Honda HRC presents the largest assault with four factory riders: Ricky Brabec, Skyler Howes, Adrien van Beveren, and Tosha Schareina.
South Africa’s Bradley Cox makes his RallyGP debut with Sherco Rally Factory Team, stepping up after a dominant Rally2 season in 2024.
Meanwhile, Rally2 welcomes a 23-rider grid, including Michael Docherty, fresh off his victory in Abu Dhabi, Tobias Ebster (now with Hero Motosports), and BAS World KTM’s formidable squad with Nathan Rafferty, Filip Grot, Libor Pletka, and Konrad Dabrowski.
The grueling Malle Moto class will see five riders race without external assistance – a true test of endurance. Among them are three French riders (Pousset, Banchilon, Jauffraud), India’s Jatin Jain, and South Africa-based Belgian Xavier Gregoire.
From Bushveld to Mountains: The Route That Tells Africa’s Story
The South African Safari Rally isn’t just a race – it’s a journey through some of the continent’s most iconic landscapes. Designed to showcase both the country’s natural beauty and its technical challenge, the route begins and ends each day at Sun City, except during the notorious Marathon Stage, which overnights near Stella with no external support.
- Prologue (19 May): A short but fiery 9 km sprint outside Sun City
- Stage 1 (20 May): 262 km westward through farm roads and sand
- Stage 2 (21 May): 352 km of savannah and off-piste sections ending at the remote bivouac
- Stage 3 (22 May): 253 km of fast terrain with complex navigation back to base
- Stage 4 (23 May): 224 km of rocky mountain routes and thick bushveld near Skilpadshek
- Stage 5 (24 May): 118 km of fast, dusty farmland leading to a triumphant return to Sun City
With daytime temperatures around 25°C and icy early mornings, the rally’s climate is ideal for performance – but punishing for fatigue.
More Than a Race – A Rally for Africa
As Round 3 of the W2RC, the South African Safari Rally is more than a competitive milestone. It’s a powerful statement of Africa’s role in shaping the global rally-raid landscape – from producing world-class talent and vehicles, to now hosting a flagship event in the sport’s highest tier.
From the roar of high-powered engines echoing across the bushveld, to the rich hospitality of Sun City, this event offers an authentic African experience for fans and competitors alike.
This is not just South Africa’s rally. It’s Africa’s rally – and the world is watching.
