MTN Gladiators


MTN Gladiators was 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 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.
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.
The show was originally presented by Glenn Hicks - executive producer of the first four series - and Ursula Staplefeldt. 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 and international strongman Wayne "The Boss" Price. The timekeepers over the show's run were Ingrid Chantler, and female Gladiator ICE - unable to compete due to pregnancy. The Gladiators and crowds alike were cheered on by a group of cheerleaders, known as G-Force.
All the MTN Gladiators tapings took place at the Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg and Big Top Arena, Carnival City in South Africa.
A special second, known simply as , against a team of British Gladiators and contenders was filmed in South Africa in 2000.

Gladiators

Gladiator NameGladiators CareerReal Name
Aqua/IvorySpringbok Challenge
Series 4
Marieka Theunissen
BladeSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Clint Walters
DiamondSpringbok Challenge
Series 5
Bernadette Beyer
FireSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5
Magdalena Wysoczanska
ForceSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Joanne Rossi
FoxSpringbok Challenge 2
Series 5
Tammy Baker
GazelleSpringbok ChallengeLara De Klerk
GiantSeries 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5
Matthew Haldenby
GoldSeries 1
Series 2
Sherry Rissik
GraniteSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5
Garth Collins
IceSeries 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5
Marion Hind
ImpiInternational Gladiators 2Bible Mhizha
JackalSpringbok Challenge 1
Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Dave Ridley
JazzSeries 5Bontle Litheko
LightningSeries 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Rene Roberts Patel
LynxSeries 5Mariska Nel
NightshadeSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Nelly Mokohoana
QuartzSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Michelle Sievwright
RhinoSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Themba John
SaharaInternational Gladiators 2
Springbok Challenge
Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Christy Skoglund
SamsonInternational Gladiators 2Bob Dahmen
ShadowSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5
Desiré Thomas
ShakaSpringbok Challenge
Series 4
Warren Simango
SheenaSpringbok Challenge Tina Andrew
SpiderSpringbok Challenge
Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5
Sergio Capellino
ThunderSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5
Jade Russell
TuskSpringbok Challenge
Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Shannon Gaskin
VenusSeries 5Alex Dorrestein
WarriorSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5
Franco Kawaza
WildebeestSpringbok Challenge
Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5
Andries Coetzee