South Africa is enormously proud of our Dakar legends who made history at the gruelling 2025 Dakar Rally! Now, the racers are heading back to home where a hard-earned heroes’ welcome awaits them.
Global (21 January 2025) — It was a legendary season of Dakar racing for South Africa! With historic moments and pride-filled memories in tow, the Dakar legends are making their way back home, where South Africa can’t wait to give them their their hard-earned heroes’ welcome at OR Tambo International Airport.
In case you missed it, the 2025 Dakar Rally (AKA, the world’s toughest rally) was jam-packed with all the action. Drivers and riders alike braved gruelling conditions—from the 48h chrono stage being bumped up to the first part of the race, sand dune battles, unforgiving terrains and intense weather—and still, South Africa managed to stand on business and earn some serious bragging rights.
Pilot Henk Lategan and co-pilot Brett Cummings from Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa stormed to a historic second-place finish to the final podium in Shubaytah, Saudi Arabia, in what was an outstanding expression of grit and years of preparation.
Their efforts earned applause from all over the world and were further described as the “best teamwork” some fans had seen at the rally in years.
As the Dakar legends make their way back to home soil, South Africa waits eagerly in anticipation of saluting them.
Fans looking to welcome the team in person can look forward to their arrival in Johannesburg!
The Official Welcome Home Details:
Where: O.R Tambo International Airport, Terminal A
When: 22 January 2025
Time: 9:30 am
Related Story
All the South Africans Who Competed in Dakar 2025
Bikes
- Bradley Cox (#12) – rode a KTM for Bas World KTM Racing Team.
- Michael Docherty (#22) (Rally 2) – rode a KTM for Bas World KTM Racing Team.
- Aaron Mare (#24) – rode a Husqvarna for HT Rally Raid.
- Willem Avenant (#112) – rode a Husqvarna for HT Rally Raid.
- Dwain Barnard (#114) – rode a KTM for D&D Nomade Racing.
Cars
- David Guy Botterill (pilot) and Dennis Murphy (co-pilot) (#205) – drove a Toyota for Toyota Gazoo Racing
- Giniel De Villiers (pilot) and Dirk von Zitzewitz (co-pilot) (#206) – drove a Toyota for Toyota Gazoo Racing
- Henk Lategan (pilot) and Brett Cummings (co-pilot) (#211) – drove a Toyota for Toyota Gazoo Racing
- Brian Baragwanath (pilot) and Leonard Cremer (co-pilot) (#214) – drove a Century for Century Racing Factory Team
- Saood Variawa (pilot) and Francois Cazalet (co-pilot) (#218) – drove a Toyota for Toyota Gazoo Racing
- Mark Corbett (pilot) and Juan Möhr (co-pilot) (#239) – drove a Century for Century Racing Factory Team
Other
- Charan Moore (#302) rode as co-pilot for Puck Klaasen in the G Rally.
- Henry Carl Köhne (#242) rode as co-pilot for Daniel Schröder in the Car Rally.
- Stuart Gregory (#254) rode as co-pilot for William Battershill.
Sources: Supplied
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