South Africa is celebrating a moment of pure pride as Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings from Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa stormed to a historic second-place finish at the 2025 Dakar Rally, conquering the world’s toughest race and proving that South African talent shines on the global stage.
Saudi Arabia (19 January 2025) – South Africa is brimming with pride as Henk Lategan and his co-driver Brett Cummings from Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa made history, clinching second place in the gruelling 2025 Dakar Rally.
This monumental achievement is more than just a win – it’s a story of perseverance, precision, and pure determination.
The duo delivered an outstanding performance, only bested by Saudi Arabia’s own Yazeed Al-Rajhi, who claimed first place in a privately entered Overdrive Toyota Hilux. Al-Rajhi had the crowd on his feet but Lategan and Cummings ensured South Africa’s flag flew high on the podium. Securing a spot on the Dakar podium is no ordinary feat. It represents years of preparation, a deep understanding of the vehicle, an incredible team and a bond between driver and co-driver that can only be described as extraordinary.
Adding to the celebration, 6 of the top 10 cars, including that of the winner, were built right here in South Africa. The 4 Toyotas, crafted by SVR (formerly Hallspeed), and the two Century Racing vehicles showcased the unmatched engineering talent of South Africa’s motorsport industry.
The outpouring of support from fans has been heartwarming, with social media buzzing with messages of admiration.
“Congratulations! Amazing achievement and best teamwork I’ve seen in many years. Well done to every single person involved.”
“Well done to #TGRSA. Henk and Brett, you made us proud. We salute you. Congratulations on your second place, you’ve worked hard for it. Next year is yours for the taking.”
Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa also joined in the celebrations, sharing on their official social media: “A massive congratulations to the entire #TGRSA team and to Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings for making the podium at Dakar 2025! An incredible effort from everyone involved—what an unforgettable rally!”
The Dakar Rally, often referred to as the “world’s toughest race,” spans thousands of kilometres across some of the most unforgiving terrain on the planet. This year’s edition saw competitors battling sand dunes, rocky landscapes, and extreme weather conditions in the Middle East. With each stage testing not only speed but strategy and stamina, it’s a race where survival alone is an achievement.
For Lategan and Cummings, navigating these challenges with finesse speaks volumes about their capabilities. Their Toyota Hilux endured everything the desert threw at it, proving the vehicle’s reliability and their unshakeable focus.
This achievement is more than a victory – it’s a bold statement of South Africa’s motorsport excellence, inspiring a nation to dream bigger, strive harder, and face challenges with unrelenting courage.
Well done team! South Africa salutes you!
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