Henk Lategan Triumphs at South African Safari Rally – Sanders Makes W2RC History

South African Safari Rally 2025: Local Heroes, International Legends, and Record-Breaking Performances

Round 3 of the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) turned the heat up in Africa, delivering thrilling action, dramatic turnarounds, and national pride on full display.

The inaugural edition of the South African Safari Rally has officially raised the bar. South African fans witnessed their local star Henk Lategan rise to glory in the Ultimate class, while Daniel Sanders continued his unstoppable RallyGP run with a record-shattering third consecutive win. Across every category — Ultimate, Challenger, SSV, Rally2, and Quads — the rally offered fierce competition and unforgettable moments.

Photo Credit Instagram @henk_lategan

Ultimate: Henk Lategan Dethrones the Giants

In what became one of the most exciting duels of the 2025 season so far, Henk Lategan (Toyota Gazoo Racing) held his ground against rally titan Sébastien Loeb (Dacia Sandriders). Entering the final day with a slim 39-second lead, Lategan delivered a flawless drive to secure his first-ever W2RC victory. His win not only thrilled the home crowd but also elevated South Africa to the list of victorious W2RC nations.

Loeb, unable to snap his winless streak since 2022, finished second, while Lucas Moraes (Toyota) completed the podium. With this result, Lategan climbs to second place in the overall standings, just 20 points behind Nasser Al Attiyah, who was penalized and finished ninth.

Championship Top 3 (Drivers - Ultimate): Nasser Al Attiyah – 114 pts Henk Lategan – 94 pts Lucas Moraes – 89 pts

Toyota now leads the manufacturers’ championship by a wide margin, proving once again the dominance of the Hilux in world rally-raid competition.

Challenger Class: Argentina Strikes Hard

Argentina’s David Zille stormed to victory in the Challenger class, ahead of fellow countryman and championship leader Nicolás Cavigliasso. Zille won three stages, while Cavigliasso’s consistent pace — including a win on the final day — allowed him to extend his championship lead.

Current Standings: Nicolás Cavigliasso – 147 pts Pau Navarro – 116 pts Dania Akeel – 98 pts

SSV: Debut Dream for “Super Mário” Franco

Portuguese driver Mário Franco made his debut in the SSV category and immediately made headlines by winning the rally. Teammate Alexandre Pinto, despite mechanical setbacks, managed to retain his championship lead thanks to a strong recovery drive.

Top 3 SSV Standings: Alexandre Pinto – 168 pts Enrico Gaspari – 149 pts Michele Cinotto – 105 pts

RallyGP: Sanders’ Triple Crown

Daniel “Chucky” Sanders (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) is on fire. After dominating Dakar and Abu Dhabi, he swept through South Africa with another masterclass, becoming the first rider ever to win three consecutive RallyGP events. He also now holds the record for most special stage wins in a single season — 11 and counting.

Luciano Benavides and Ricky Brabec completed the podium, but it’s Sanders who is quickly becoming the man to beat.

Top 5 RallyGP Riders (Points): Sanders – 88 Benavides – 53 Brabec – 53 Van Beveren – 48 Schareina – 46

Rally2: Tobias Ebster vs Edgar Canet – A Rivalry is Born

Dakar Original winner Edgar Canet returned from a crash in Abu Dhabi with a statement win in South Africa. Tobias Ebster, Austria’s rising star with Hero MotoSports, held onto second and barely maintained his championship lead.

Rally2 Championship Standings: Tobias Ebster – 66 pts Edgar Canet – 63 pts Michael Docherty – 58 pts

The gap between the top 3 is razor-thin — every stage from now on could determine the title!

Quads: CFMoto Thunder Rolls On

Frenchman Gaëtan Martinez and teammate Antanas Kanopkinas dominated the quads category, taking every single stage. They now share the top spot in the standings with 45 points each, proving CFMoto is here to compete at the top level.

Next Stop: Portugal!

The W2RC caravan heads to Portugal for Round 4 from 22–28 September. With every category heating up and rivals locked in fierce battles, the next race promises even more fireworks. Stay tuned as TimeOut Racing continues to bring you closer to the action!