The dust has settled on the 2025 South African Safari Rally, and with it, six punishing days of high-stakes racing through the country’s unforgiving terrain have drawn to a close. Brought to life by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the fifth and final stage of the rally — a 111 km special around the iconic Sun City — put the spotlight squarely on performance, perseverance, and strategic precision.
And it was here that TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) crews Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet, alongside teammates Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy, showcased precisely why they’re fast becoming contenders on the world rally-raid stage.
Strength in Adversity
Stage 5, the final hurdle in a total route of 222 kilometres, was a challenging mix of black sand, soft gravel, rocky sections, and dry savannah — a course that demanded not only speed but a refined sense of vehicle control and route management. Clear skies and mild temperatures provided relief from the elements, but thick dust hung over the track, making visibility a persistent issue — especially for those starting further back.
Variawa and Cazalet were first on the road after a sensational Stage 4 victory, but opening the route proved a double-edged sword. With no established tracks to follow, the pair were forced into navigating a constantly evolving course, where corners turned into straights and every crest held the potential for surprise.
“I gave it everything,” Variawa reflected. “I pushed at yesterday’s winning pace, but opening the road makes it incredibly difficult. There’s just no line to follow, and by the time a few cars are through, the route changes completely.”
Despite the disadvantage, the young duo crossed the line 18th on the stage — 7 minutes and 31 seconds adrift of the leader — but their overall performance throughout the rally was anything but average. With a stage win under their belts and several strong showings across the event, Variawa and Cazalet signalled their rising trajectory on the world stage.
“All in all, it was an amazing event,” Variawa added. “The scenery, the fans, the stages — everything was fantastic. We were fighting with the world’s best, and it’s clear we’re moving in the right direction.”
Resilience and Reflection
Meanwhile, Botterill and Murphy continued their steady rise, finishing Stage 5 in 12th place after a clean, composed run. Their journey through the rally was marked by strategic progress and improved consistency — a crucial ingredient in the team’s broader W2RC ambitions.
“We had a really successful weekend overall,” said Botterill. “We managed two 1-2 stage finishes as a team, which was fantastic. The pace is definitely there — we just need to cut out the small mistakes and learn how to better manage the road order strategy in these world-level events.”
That “road order strategy” is fast becoming one of the W2RC’s defining tactical elements. As Botterill pointed out, “Nobody won a stage starting in the top 10 this week. You really want to be starting fifth or sixth every day, but it’s hard to get that balance right. The guys who’ve been doing this for a while know how to play the game. We’re learning fast, and we’ll come back stronger.”
Proven Performance and a Platform that Delivers
Both of the team’s GR Hilux EVOs completed the rally without major mechanical issues — a strong endorsement of the vehicle’s robustness and reliability in some of the toughest rally-raid conditions on the calendar. As the dust settles, Variawa secures 12th place overall, with Botterill just behind in 13th — both scoring crucial points for the championship and contributing to Toyota’s commanding lead in the Manufacturers’ standings.
It was another win, too, for the home-grown Toyota GR Hilux EVO platform, with Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings clinching overall victory in a dominant performance that underlined both driver skill and engineering excellence.
Eyes on Portugal
As the South African leg of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) concludes, Toyota maintains its lead at the top of the Manufacturers’ standings with 311 points, ahead of rivals Dacia Sandriders and Ford M-Sport. On the Drivers’ leaderboard, Variawa edges closer to the top ten, while Botterill’s consistent point hauls strengthen his position in the international pecking order.
Next up: Portugal. With renewed confidence, valuable experience, and proven pace, both TGRSA crews will be looking to elevate their performances yet again. The road to championship glory is long — but for TGRSA, the wheels are firmly in motion.
