by Jan-Hendrik Botha
Can the Yontau tribe bargain on their fellow male castaways to play the greatest game on earth? Here are some of their stats based on their seasons.
Dino
- Survivor nickname: None
- Previous season: Survivor South Africa: Immunity Island S8
- Total days in the game: 16 days
- Total team challenges won: Seven
- Total individual challenges won: None
- Total tribal councils attended: Four (including the double elimination night)
- Total votes received: Four
- Total idols found: None
- What are you bringing to season 9:
I have a very good understanding of Survivor, and I consider myself to be knowledgeable about the game. I understand the three pillars of the game, have studied the different challenges, and have seen and understood the various advantages and twists used across the English-speaking versions of the game. This will allow me to either use what the game throws (or doesn't throw) at us to my advantage or to mitigate risks... Well... in theory, anyway, at least!
- Why are you back?
It's no secret that my paranoia let me down. Because of the chaotic, distrusting energy I gave off, people really struggled to trust me. I formed good friendships but no strong game bonds. This time around, I plan on being a bit calmer on the inside.
I honestly had so much fun the first time around, so I don't feel I need redemption as such. However, as a superfan who fell dismally short on the first try, I would be grateful to just get to merge. If I get to merge, have made a few notable plays, made an impact and kept composure, it would validate my belief that I can actually play this game – and somewhat well.
Ultimately, we all play to win, which would be the ultimate redemption, but I will not use that as my metric for success. Ultimately, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Therefore, it is my absolute priority to make the most of every second out there because my torch can be snuffed at any moment!
Felix
- Survivor nickname: None
- Previous season: Survivor South Africa: Island of Secrets S7
- Total days in the game: 15 days
- Total team challenges won: Four
- Total individual challenges won: None
- Total tribal councils attended: Four
- Total votes received: Four
- Total idols found: None
- What are you bringing to season 9?
This season I am going in with a calm mindset, aimed at building genuine relationships and being myself, back to who I always was.
- Why are you back?
The last time I played the game, I came across as a bit of a brute and abrasive. I was too focused on the end goal and not really concerned about the people around me. Having done lots of introspection and receiving brutal honesty from my wife, I will bring the "old Felix" to the fore. This is important as I want to remind myself of who I still am deep inside and remind my wife of who she married. Connecting and getting the best out of people is what I do best – so that's what I'll bring.
Phil
- Survivor nickname: Sugarman Phil
- Previous season: Survivor South Africa: Champions S5
- Total days in the game: Eleven days
- Total team challenges won: Eight
- Total individual challenges won: None
- Total tribal councils attended: Six
- Total votes received: At least three at every Tribal Council
- Total idols found: None
- What are you bringing to season 9:
I'm bringing focus and mental strength. I'm a lot more mature and ready to play the cards I'm dealt.
- Why are you back?
I don't feel like I got a chance to play Survivor in season 5. This time, I plan on having a different approach; to play the game hard but also have integrity and not be mean. In season 5, I was playing for survival. This time I'm playing Survivor! I know I can do well if I just keep my mouth shut and let people ruin their own game
Seamus
- Survivor nickname: Nicknames come with time and connection – I had neither
- Previous season: Survivor South Africa: Philippines S6
- Total days in the game: Three days
- Total team challenges won: None
- Total individual challenges won: None
- Total tribal councils attended: One
- Total votes received: Five
- Total idols found: None
- What are you bringing to season 9:
I'm coming into this season clear-minded and humbled by season 6. I want to play a game true to myself and innovate wherever I can.
- Why are you back?
This season is all about redemption for me.
That being said, I'm coming into this game with a specific brand of gameplay that will make me an easy target from the start.
I need to gain the trust of the other castaways and brand myself as a reliable and trustworthy team player. I will have a good base to make some creative plays from there.
I plan to be active in camp life, be useful in challenges (never the hero) and focus on deep-seated connections with key players to ensure longevity and a constant stream of good intel.
I also want to disappear within the context of the tribe by creating an evident positive tribe spirit, predicated on the shared trauma of us all being per-merge boots – thus focussing on the tribe, not the individuals. This will create more fluidity and opportunity across all tiers of gameplay.
Tevin
- Survivor nickname: Tev
- Previous season: Survivor South Africa: Philippines S6
- Total days in the game: 18 days
- Total team challenges won: Eight
- Total individual challenges won: None
- Total tribal councils attended: Three
- Total votes received: Three
- Total idols found: None
- What are you bringing to season 9:
Well, after being blindsided by my best friend on that island, this time, I bring my confirmed (and now concrete) belief that in the game of Survivor, trust no one.
- Why are you back?
I enjoyed the way I played the game the first time.
It was fun to play. It was fun to watch! I don't necessarily want to redeem myself. However, I want to ensure that I do the same thing I did the first time - to go out there and play the greatest game on earth with pure passion and appreciation! It's truly an honour to play my favourite game on earth once again, and I'm very grateful for the opportunity.
Images: Charlie Sperring and Peter Russell
Survivor SA: Return of the Outcasts premieres on M-Net on Monday 18 July, with four episodes per week, Mondays to Thursdays. Join the conversation on the Survivor Facebook Page or on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #SurvivorSA.