MTN Gladiators is a game show produced by MTN for SABC3 in South Africa from 1999 to 2001. Following South Africa's initial participation in the second International Gladiators and the first Springbok Challenge tournaments in Birmingham, England, the format developed a cult following in South Africa. In 1998 production finally began for a domestic series, eventually airing in 1999.

A special second Springbok Challenge series, known simply as Gladiators: Springbok Challenge 2, against a team of British Gladiators and contenders was filmed in South Africa in 2000.

Format The show pitted contestants in a variety of physical events against the 'Gladiators', who would attempt to prevent them from achieving maximum points on a variety of games. After this, the two contenders would race each other on the Eliminator, an assault course containing climbing, balancing, and cargo nets. The contender with the most points received a half second head start for every 1 point they were in front by.

Production All the MTN Gladiators tapings took place at the Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg (1999–2000) and Big Top Arena, Carnival City (2001) in South Africa.

Presenters and crew The show was originally presented by Glenn Hicks, executive producer of the first four series, and Ursula Chikane. Following Glenn's departure from the show in 2000, he was replaced by James Lennox when it was resurrected for its penultimate fifth series in 2001.

The referees were legendary South African cricketer Cyril Mitchley (1999–2000) and international strongman Wayne "The Boss" Price (2001). The timekeepers over the show's run were Ingrid Chantler (1999–2000), and female Gladiator ICE in 2001, who was unable to compete due to pregnancy. The Gladiators and crowds alike were cheered on by a group of cheerleaders, known as G-Force.

Gladiators

Alias Gladiators career Real name Aqua/Ivory Springbok Challenge (Ivory) Series 3 (Aqua) Marieka Theunissen Blade Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Clint Walters Delilah International Gladiators 2 Louise Burnett Diamond Springbok Challenge Series 5 Bernadette Beyer Fire Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5 Magdalena Wysoczanska Force Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Joanne Parnell Fox Series 4 (UK) Series 5 (SA) Tammy Baker Gazelle Springbok Challenge Lara De Klerk Giant Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5 Matthew Haldenby Gold Series 1 Series 2 Sherry Rissik Granite Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5 Garth Collins Ice Series 3 Series 4 Series 5 (timekeeper) Marion Hind Impi International Gladiators 2 Series 1 Series 2 Bible Mhizha Jackal Springbok Challenge Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Dave Ridley Jazz Series 5 Bontle Litheko Lightning Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Rene Roberts Patel Lynx Series 5 Mariska Nel Nightshade Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Nelly Mokohoana Quartz Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Michelle Sievwright Rhino Series 3 Themba John Sahara International Gladiators 2 Springbok Challenge Series 1 Series 3 Series 4 Christy Skoglund Samson International Gladiators 2 Bob Dahmen Shadow Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5 Desiré Thomas Shaka Springbok Challenge Series 3 Warren Simango Sheena Springbok Challenge (SA) Tina Andrew Spider Springbok Challenge Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5 Sergio Capellino Thunder Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5 Jade Russell Tusk Springbok Challenge Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Shannon Gaskin Venus Series 5 Alex Dorrestein Warrior Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5 Franco Kawaza Wildebeest Springbok Challenge Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5 Andries Coetzee

Contenders

Series Female Champion Female Runner-Up Male Champion Male Runner-Up 1A Natasha de Jongh Nina Cave Christo Blignaut Patrick Dlamini 1B Michelle Gray Kirsten Meyer Andre McDonald Pieter Brits Series 1 Champion Of Champions Michelle Gray Natasha de Jongh Christo Blignaut Andre McDonald 2A Jenny Chalmers Robyn Penton Remington Mnkhawile Shilo Bunce 2B Kathryn van Niekerk Dani Ridgeway Craig Smith Christo de Jager 3A Nivea Sekele Marelise Le Roux Graham Green Tyrone Agliotti 3B: SA National Forces Challenge Nicky Seger (Navy) Lizzie Allworth (Air Force) Annes De Buryn (Medical) Nick April (Navy) 3C: Africa Challenge Natasha de Jongh (SA) Elise Sauls (SA) Remington Mnkhawile (SA) Gray Chikowi (MW) 3D: Varsity Challenge Marna Dipenaar (Pukke) Penny Andrews (RAU) Charles Steenkamp (Tukkies) Juan Pretorius (RAU) Series 2/3 Champion Of Champions Nivea Sekele Marna Dipenaar Craig Smith Remington Mnkhawile 4A: Springbok Trials Nivea Sekele Marna Dipenaar Shilo Bunce Juan Pretorius 4B: International Challenge Andreya Wharry (UK) Nivea Sekele (SA) Mark Everitt (UK) Shilo Bunce (SA) 5A Fiddy Gey van Pittius Karen-Marie Becker Kwanele Gumbi Luton Grobbelaar 5B Vanessa Beckel Leandri Vermeulen Matt Linder Leletuhu Ndyoko

References

External links Dispatch Online - Gladiator fans, are you ready?