official Survivor South Africa 2025-2026 | Auditions, Application Entries
We are pleased as we keep you updated about Survivor South Africa 2025-2026 | Auditions, Application Entries
The show follows the same general format as the other editions of the show. The players are split between two “tribes”, are taken to a remote island and are forced to live off the land with meager supplies for an extended period of time. Frequent physical and mental challenges are used to pit the teams against each other for rewards, such as food or luxuries, or for “immunity”, forcing the other tribe to attend “Tribal Council”, where they must vote off one of their players.
Once about half of the players are remaining, those who remain are merged into a single tribe, and competitions are on an individual basis; winning immunity prevents that player from being voted out. Most players that are voted out at this stage form the “Tribal Council Jury”. Once down to two people (three in Champions and Island of Secrets), a final Tribal Council is held where the remaining players plead their case to the Jury as to why they should win the game. The jury then votes for which player should be considered the “Ultimate Survivor” and wins the grand prize of R1Million.
Entries have officially opened, and those who think they have the skills to become the sole survivor on a desolate exotic island have until Monday 20 January at midnight to enter.
Executive Producer Handrie Basson says: “If you love watching Survivor, if you have shouted at the TV in frustration and admiration and if you have said ‘I can do this!’ or if you have thought ‘I will never do that!’… then it’s time to get off the couch and onto the island!”
Nico Panagio will return as host of Survivor SA season eight which will air on M-Net (DStv 101) in the second half of 2020.
To be eligible to enter, you have to be 18 years or older by 20 January 2020. You also have to be a South African citizen or have a permanent residence status and need to make sure that your passport is valid until August 2020.
To enter, you have to complete the online entry form here. Once you have logged on to, you will go through a quick and easy online audition process. First, you will be asked to fill in a short application form with a few personal questions, and thereafter you have to submit a three-minute video, showcasing your game plan and why the Survivor SA team should pick you. If your online application is successful, you will be contacted by the Survivor SA team for a call-back, and who knows, you could be part of the next season’s castaways.
Format Variations
The South African version of the show follows the same basic format of the American version.
Tribes
- Main article: Tribe
Tribe Captains
The fifth season of the show introduced two South African sports champions as captains of the tribes. They would live at the camps, compete in the challenges with the tribes, and made some decisions, but they couldn’t be voted out nor have a vote at Tribal Council. However, both of them would vote at the Final Tribal Council to help to decide the winner.
Immunity Idol
- Main article: Immunity Idol
Hidden Immunity Idol
- Main article: Hidden Immunity Idol
Unlike the American version of the show, the players in Season 5, Survivor South Africa: Champions, were allowed to steal Hidden Immunity Idols from other’s possessions.
Exile Island
- Main article: Exile Island (twist)
Only in Survivor South Africa: Santa Carolina.
Dead Man’s Island
- Main article: Redemption Island (international twist)
Used only in Survivor South Africa: Panama, the castaways voted out after the merge were taken to an island without knowledge of the remaining players in the game, where they would wait for a chance to compete for two spots to re-enter the game at the Final Three.
Tribal Council
- Main article: Tribal Council
Torches
- Main article: Torch
Merge
- Main article: Merge
Immunity Necklace
- Main article: Immunity Necklace
Final Tribal Council
- Main article: Final Tribal Council
Celebrity Seasons
The cast of the third season of the show was compound of eighteen South African celebrities, each of whom was playing the game to raise money for a charity of their choice.
The fourth season had its cast made up by nine South African celebrities, competing with ten regular South African citizens.