Rob Bentele takes his strategy to the international stage, where he faces some of Survivor’s most iconic players.
South Africa (07 August 2025) – South Africa’s own Rob Bentele is stepping back into the ultimate game of survival. However, this time the stakes are higher than ever. The 2019 Survivor SA: Island of Secrets winner is representing not just Mzansi, but Africa, in Survivor Australia vs The World.
For Rob, just getting the invitation to compete internationally is an honour he does not take lightly.
“Honestly, I’m really humbled and really grateful,” he says. “Just the fact that they recognised a player that can actually play on an international stage, to represent the best players in the world. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity.”
But this was not the same game he played in 2019. Rob explains that the difference was in the calibre of players.
“The format is the same. The only real difference was that everyone was high‑calibre players. With the local one, there were a lot of normal people there, and I believe they were cast knowing they wouldn’t be dominant players. You had a few pawns to work with in Survivor SA. This time, there were no pawns everyone was a queen or a king.”
Knowing the competition would be tougher, Rob’s preparation went to a new level. He focused on every part of his game. From building extra body fat to survive the physical toll, to walking along train tracks to improve balance.
“You can’t just be bulky and strong. You need resistance training, cardio, agility, balance. Survivor will break you physically if you’re not ready.”
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Three Western Cape Nature Reserves Now Accept Donations for Communities in Need!Social gameplay, however, was a bigger challenge this time.
“Being from South Africa, the social game is easier at home. Other South Africans can relate to you. With Australians and Americans, the relatability is not as easy. But growing up here also gave me an edge. We understand tough conditions better than most. For me, that life of surviving in the cold with limited resources wasn’t a shock. For them, it’s a real shock to the system.”
Though he cannot reveal what happened on the island, Rob says the experience leaves a lasting mark.
“You walk in as one person and come out as another. Survivor is like a microcosm of the real world. The 21 people you meet, each one represents a type of person you know back home. Navigating that teaches you a lot about yourself and your place in the world.”
Rob has already proven he can outwit, outplay, and outlast. Now, he is testing those skills against the world’s very best.
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