In a year that’s already bursting with South African success stories, our national dance team has just added another golden chapter… and this one comes with rhythm, applause and a standing ovation from the world.
Burgos, Spain (08 July 2025) – South Africa, we need to talk about our dancers. While the world’s been watching sports fields and scoreboards, a group of incredibly talented South Africans has just made magic on a different kind of global stage… the 2025 Dance World Cup in Spain.
They showed up, they stepped up and they danced their way into the history books.
With more than 8,500 dancers from 51 countries competing, Team South Africa has just delivered something spectacular. We’re currently ranked 4th in the world, and this morning, in breaking news sent to us, we were officially crowned Overall World Champions for both Junior and Senior Commercial Hip Hop.
Yep, you read that right… we are officially the best in the world at Commercial Hip Hop.
Friends, we are WINNING at the 2025 Dance World Cup in Spain.
Last year, we finished in 8th place ( 9 Gold, 10 Silver and 9 Bronze medals) and this year we are in 4th position! GLOBALLY.
The medal videos are rolling in. And we are here for it! ❤️🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/hcwuUujMFu
— Brent Lindeque (@BrentLindeque) July 8, 2025
One of the highlights that has sent social media into a spin was our gold-medal win in the Senior Large Group Street Dance category. The performance was bold, electric, and powerful and it scored an extraordinary 95.7%, one of the highest marks of the entire competition.
In the now-viral video, you can hear the emotion pouring out of the dancers as they celebrate. Between the screaming and our National Anthem, you will feel all the feels.
Friends, we are WINNING at the 2025 Dance World Cup in Spain.
Last year, we finished in 8th place ( 9 Gold, 10 Silver and 9 Bronze medals) and this year we are in 4th position! GLOBALLY.
The medal videos are rolling in. And we are here for it! ❤️🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/F9jlnf3810
— Brent Lindeque (@BrentLindeque) July 8, 2025
It may feel like we are currently winning at everything. And that’s because we are. We’re only halfway through 2025 and we already have so many “wins” to celebrate. From Dricus, to Tshego Gaelae, Akani Simbine (on multiple wins), our flowers in Chelsa, our Stellies Choir winning gold and even a “World’s Strongest Man” title. Our olive oil is the best in the world, Kirsten Neuschäfer was awarded The Duchess of Kent Trophy, our Springbok Women have just been crowned African Champions, a local education initiative won a UN-Affiliated Award, and a South African-born chef won a major award, earning the Michelin’s Young Chef Award for 2025.
We are champions!
And while we are celebrating our champions at the 2025 Dance World Cup, we need to add that there are loads more golds that we need to shout about. While hip hop brought the fire, South Africa’s success stretched far beyond just one genre. From contemporary to jazz, lyrical to ballet, our dancers stood proud and pushed themselves to the limit… and we’re still waiting for the official 2025 medal tally to drop.
But here’s what we do know: Last year, we finished 8th overall, with an impressive haul of 9 Gold, 10 Silver and 9 Bronze medals by the end of the competition.
And now in 2025, we’re sitting pretty in 4th place… which means there are definitely more medals on the way. Possibly loads more.
South African dance is levelling up. And the world is watching.
The praise has been flooding in. One supporter wrote: “It’s our year!” Another added: “Pure magic. We’re so proud of them!”
And isn’t that the heart of it? These dancers, some as young as six or seven, have reminded us of our power, our talent and our spirit. They are shouting from the rooftops that we are champions.
So thank you. To every dancer, coach, parent and supporter, a million times thank you. You’ve lifted our spirits. You’ve given us something to celebrate. And you’ve reminded us, once again, that South Africa really is full of good things.
*We will share more information (and videos of the actual dances) when and as we receive them.
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