With less than one week to go, South African motorsport fans are gearing up for a historic milestone—the inaugural South African Safari Rally, which will bring the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) to the country for the very first time. Held from 18 to 24 May 2025 at Sun City in the North West Province, this thrilling event promises 2,600km of challenging terrain, adrenaline-pumping action, and an unfiltered glimpse into the extreme world of rally-raid competition.
At the heart of the event is Motul’s unwavering support for the Original by Motul (OBM) class—widely considered the purest and most demanding format in rally-raid. Known colloquially as the ‘Malle Moto’ category, this class strips the experience down to its rawest form: no crew, no backup—just the rider, their bike, their grit, and their toolbox.
“Bringing the W2RC to South African soil is a monumental moment for local motorsport—one that puts us firmly on the global rally-raid map. We’re proud to fuel this spirit of endurance and passion, especially through our continued support of the Original by Motul class.”
said Mercia Jansen, Motul General Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa
The OBM Line-Up: Riders Who Redefine Toughness
The Original by Motul field includes five rugged riders:
- Benjamin Pousset (France, KTM)
- Matthieu Jauffraud (France, KTM)
- Florian Bancilhon (France, Yamaha)
- Jatin Jain (India, KOVE)
- Xavier Gregoire (Belgium, GasGas)
While Motul supplies these competitors with essential items like lubricants, oils, a sleeping tent, and a storage trunk, they’re entirely self-reliant when it comes to bike repairs and survival in the marathon stages.
South Africa’s own Charan Moore, the OBM winner at Dakar 2023, knows the stakes:
“You need mechanical expertise and mental resilience. It’s about managing yourself—physically and emotionally—over hundreds of kilometres. Fatigue is the enemy of planning.”
Rally-Raid Royalty On Home Soil
The event is set to attract top-tier international stars, including:
- Ross Branch (Botswana), reigning W2RC champion, riding for Hero Motosports powered by Motul
- Michael Docherty (South Africa), currently second in the W2RC Rally 2 class
- Nasser Al-Attiyah & Edouard Boulanger, five-time Dakar winners
- Carlos Sainz & Lucas Cruz, Spanish Dakar legends
- Nani Roma & Alex Haro, veteran competitors
SA Teams Ready to Represent
The South African Safari Rally will also showcase local expertise with entries from Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, Red-Lined Motorsport, Century Racing, Schröder WCT, #TeamHilux, and Neil Woolridge Motorsport.
“This rally will be a tough test for competitors, machines, and the lubricants that keep them moving. We don’t just sponsor—we live the experience. That hands-on insight helps us refine performance and reliability for African conditions.”
said Taki Bogiages, Motul Head of Sales (SA)
Experience the Action
Motorsport lovers can follow the journey and find out more at the official SA Safari Rally site and track Motul’s adventure across their Instagram and Facebook pages.
For a deep dive into Motul’s premium product range, visit motul.com/en-ZA.