Survivor South Africa: Panama

EPISODE 1

14 South Africans arrived in Panama, believing they were on their way to a media briefing, but were told that the game was starting. They were immediately split into two tribes (Rana and Aguila) and competed in their first reward challenge.

Reward Challenge: The tribes will run to the village, fill their container with fuel, and run down to the dock to ferry a boat. Once they are on the shore, the tribes will swim to the cove and up an embankment to their tribe flags. The first tribe to get all of their members to the flag will be allowed to stay on the Black Pearl Island beach and receive a survival kit.

The water was particularly rough on Sanele during the swim to the islands. Aguila won the challenge. On Aguila, Sam took on a leadership role, to Vanessa and Nico's concern, while Mzi caught fish for his tribe.

On Rana, the tribe was forced to trek to another beach and were exhausted upon arrival. Despite their setbacks, the tribe was getting along well.

Immunity Challenge: The tribes will attach themselves to a mast, feed the mast through hoops and navigate through the mangrove swamp course. The first tribe to make it back wins immunity.

Aguila won immunity. Back at Rana, the tribe agreed on voting Danielle out first, questioning her loyalty as they believed her wish was to be on Aguila. However, Don fell ill and rested while the rest of the tribe set up their camp. His tribemates were upset that he wasn't contributing to the tribe, and some of them wondered if keeping Danielle for tribe strength was better.

At Tribal Council, Danielle stated her willingness to stay in the game and that she would be loyal to Rana. Don remarked that the tribe made a mistake in the immunity challenge by putting a woman at the front of the mast instead of a man. Ultimately Don's physical weakness was deemed more dire to the tribe than their issues with Danielle's trust, and Don became the first person voted out.

EPISODE 2

Reward Challenge: One member from each tribe will meet in the circle; they will be harnessed to a rope, and try to make their way to their tribe stakes. The first tribe to score three points will win a fishing net and flint.

Aguila won their third straight challenge. Back at Aguila, Sam and Bridgette's closeness concerned their tribemates, but Sam didn't make many other friends; he lashed out and offended Jude and Vanessa when they tried to assist him in making fire. Sam also swore at Mzi, which nearly caused a physical confrontation between the two of them.

At Rana, the tribe decided to have daily tribe meetings in order for people to share their feelings and to organize themselves before the challenges. Jacinda was elected as the tribe's chairperson as people felt she was methodical and intelligent. The tribe had a terrible night in their shelter as sand fleas and mosquitoes bit them.

Immunity Challenge: The tribes will select one member who will attach themselves to a cannon. They will then maneuver their cannon through an obstacle course and down the beach to the finish line. The first tribe to cross the finish line wins immunity.

Rana won their first challenge. At Aguila, Sam knew he was a target because of his outburst the day before and tried to improve his relationships with his tribe members. Sam suggested to Nico and Jude that they should keep the tribe strong and get rid of Vanessa first, seeing her as the weakest link. Jude felt that Brigitte wasn't taking the game seriously, but Mzi believed the vote should unify the tribe, wanting to oust Sam for causing tension.

At Tribal Council, the tribe discussed their rifts, especially the one between Sam and Mzi. Mzi criticized Sam letting his temper strain his relationships. The tribe agreed that Sam and Brigitte have isolated themselves. Ultimately, the majority decided that Sam was too much for them to handle, and he was voted out.

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