EXPLAINER. Here is what the immunity island is and how its game mechanics works in Survivor SA: Immunity Island on M-Net.

by Thinus Ferreira

In the latest 8th season of Survivor South Africa on M-Net (DStv 101) you're sent to Immunity Island, and then you must choose, but, and then, and ... what? 

The new season entitled Survivor SA: Immunity Island the reality show introduced - drum roll, please - a fabled " Immunity Island". If you're a bit confused about how it works and what it is, TVwithThinus went straight to the top, to island mastermind LeRoux Botha himself, to explain and unpack exactly how Survivor SA's Immunity Island works.

So wat is the "immunity island" and how does it work exactly?

"One player from the losing tribe is sent to Immunity Island after an immunity challenge by the winning tribe," says Leroux Botha, Survivor SA's creative producer and series director.

"When they arrive, they will have a decision to make: Will they 'Stay-And-Play' or 'Give-Up-And-Go’?"

If a castaway decides to "Stay-And-Play", they will have the Immunity Island Necklace and will be safe at tribal council. They will attend and will be safe from the vote. However, they will not vote at tribal council and have no vote.

While on Immunity Island, the castaway will take part in a timed mini-challenge which, if they win will give them an advantage in the game, and if they lose, will give them a disadvantage in the game.

On the other hand, if a castaway decides to "Give-Up-and-Go" they will go back to the tribe immediately.

In this choice, a castaway will give up their safety at tribal council, but will get their vote - in other words, the castaway is not safe from the vote at tribal council, but can vote themselves.

The castaway gets to take the Immunity Island Necklace with them and is allowed to bequeath the necklace to anyone at tribal council to help ensure their safety. 

Very importantly: They will not be able to use it for themselves. They may also choose not to bequeath the necklace to anyone.

Will the person banished to Immunity Island always get a choice there and do they always return with something? Will there always be a "good" and a "bad" choice? Is it a good or a bad thing to go to Immunity Island in Survivor SA?

Leroux Botha says that the castaway "will always get a choice".

"They will know beforehand what the mini-challenge is, and what the 'good' and 'bad' of the decision to stay-and-play will be. It will be an informed choice."