Survivor SA's Rob to face off against the world's best in new series
He's already proved he can outwit, outplay and outlast as South Africa's top survivor- and now Rob Bentele is going to go up against the world's best players on the smash-hit international reality TV series.
Rob, who was the winner of the seventh season of the local version, Survivor South Africa: Island of Secrets, will soon be seen in the international series Survivor: Australia vs the World which has already been filmed.
'We were divided into teams of seven. Seven Australians and seven players from other countries. The series was shorter than what we're used to, but Australia's version, like South Africa's, is a very physical game. It exceeded all my expectations, the characters too,' he says.
Regarding his feelings about fellow contestants Rob can't elaborate yet as it might give something away.
'But George, that guy is a character,' he says about the popular player, who dubbed himself 'King George' in previous seasons and is one of Australia's most popular players.
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Rob can't reveal much more so viewers will have to wait until 22 June when the series starts airing.
Meanwhile he has swapped the City of Gold for Richards Bay, where he lives with his girlfriend, Laeeqa (28), and their Yorkshire terrier, Bella.
'It's better here. I traded the city for the natural beauty and my business is doing well here,' he says.
Rob prefers to keep some details of their life private, including Laeeqa's surname, but he happily shares that the couple has been together for over six years and are going strong.
'Our relationship is in a good place. She has made peace with the fact I will be in the public eye and people will ask about her,' Rob says.
These days he's a business development manager for a logistics company in Richards Bay.
He has also developed an app, Eyerus, to assist victims of domestic violence when they need help.
But Rob's heart actually lies with adventure and he cryptically hints that we can also look forward to a 10th season of Survivor SA.
'If it were up to me I would just go participate in Survivor with the people. I don't care if it's filmed or not. I'd do it purely because of my love for the game.'
The international season takes place in Samoa, the very island where Island of Secrets was filmed.
'The conditions were better this time. When we South Africans were there it was the rainy season. This time there was at least less wind and harsh weather,' he says.
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To prepare to compete Rob spent time walking on a train track in the area.
'The train track is just about as wide as the beams we have to balance on in Survivor. I walked about a kilometre on the train track every day,' he says.
He also made sure to go into the game with a bit of extra meat on his bones.
'I swam a lot because it's the exercise that causes the fewest injuries. I also ran a lot and did resistance exercises. But I made sure I had reserves on my body, for the hunger.'
He also focused on his mental state and meditated regularly to make sure his mind is strong.
Will Rob emerge as the ultimate Survivor, defeating 13 formidable opponents who share his great love for the game?
We'll just have to wait and see . . .
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