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In a hectic mano-a-mano reward challenge in yesterday's 3rd episode of Survivor SA Santa Carolina on M-Net at 19:30 celebtestants Okkert Brits and Izak Davel first pummeled each other on a long beam, Okkert won - and then they both suddenly hugged it out. Huh??
So, are they friends after the fight? Are they enemies because they're on different tribes? What on earth is going on here? I asked both how they felt, I wanted to know from Izak Davel why viewers saw him shed some tears, Okkert Brits on what his strategy was, why he chose the food instead of the clue and what they both felt during the challenge.
For the revealing answers of both Okkert Brits and Izak Davel as well as one more fighting photo, click on READ MORE below.
How long did it take you to decide between the crate and the clue?
Ten seconds! If that! Nobody realises the true extent of the hunger we went through. My tribe and I needed way more food to keep going. It was day 9 and we had no protein!
What did you think when you saw you would be competing against Izak Davel and what the challenge would entail?
I knew Timbila would take Izak Davel to fight so that's why I couldn't believe that my tribe was thinking to go for Sade. She's strong, but the stakes were so high. We needed to win something to get our spirits up. So I took charge and asked that I go.
Did you have any particular strategy in trying to win the reward challenge?
No strategy. I knew the one who wants it the most will win. When Nico Panagio opened the box I got tears in my eyes and knew for the first time what it is to be hungry. But I knew that Izak Davel is a lot stronger than he looks. It shows when he hit me off the beam first. The tears he had after the challenge I can fully understand.
Why the man hug afterwards with Izak Davel if you were competitors?
I respect my competitors, we are all going through the same - hunger, fatigue - we all felt connected through our struggles!
One of your tribemates said your behaviour changed the moment it was decided that you would be taking part in the challenge. Did you? Do you mentally go to another place as an athlete when you prepare for competition and how do you focus and prepare mentally?
I get very quiet and start to focus on all the possibilities of what can happen. Good and bad. Then I start to believe I can do anything. Energy was a constant low for all of us on the island and I knew that I just had to endure longer in anything that's draining.
IZAK DAVEL
Why do you think you lost the reward challenge to Okkert Brits?
I think it comes down to pure brutal strength, and he has much more than what I have.
What did you think when you saw you would be competing against Okkert Brits and what the challenge would entail?
I was nervous as hell. I knew that when I saw him and the challenge, that I needed a lot of luck on my side to beat the hungry giant, and I knew he had the advantage of body weight. When I won the first round, I actually had a glimmer of hope, but then he got into the motion and well, we all know what happened!
Why did you cry afterwards back at camp and how did you feel?
I cried out of pure frustration and embarrassment. I knew that the crate of food meant that we wouldn't have to scavenge for food and then we could save our energy for the upcoming challenges. I felt that I let the team down, because they expected me to bring something back to the tribe. I can't even tell you how hungry we all were and that treasure chest from Pick n Pay was worth more than any immunity and reward.
Did you have any particular strategy in trying to win the reward challenge?
The only strategy was to try and stay on the beam, but it was difficult because Okkert Brits is a big guy. Especially when you are dodging the knocks and trying to assert your own strength!
Why the man hug afterwards with Okkert Brits if you were competitors? Are you and Okkert forming a bond or kind of friendship at this point in the game although you're part of different tribes?
I think it comes down to respect for each other. And the fact that we both knew it is only a game and that there's no hard feelings. After all, we are all going through the same challenges on the island. There's a bond between us all!
