''MTN Gladiators'' was a

game show A game show (or gameshow) is a genre of broadcast viewing entertainment where contestants compete in a game for rewards. The shows are typically directed by a game show host, host, who explains the rules of the program as well as commentating a ...

produced by MTN for

SABC3 SABC 3, also branded as S3, is a South African free-to-air television channel owned by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Since March 2024, it carries programming in English language, English and Afrikaans only. History On 1 Janu ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

from 1999 to 2001. Following South Africa's initial participation in the second ''International Gladiators'' and the first ''Springbok Challenge'' tournaments in

Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands (county), West Midlands, within the wider West Midlands (region), West Midlands region, in England. It is the Lis ...

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

, 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 The Ellis Park Arena (formerly Standard Bank Arena and often acknowledged as Ellis Park Indoor Arena) is an indoor sporting arena located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The capacity of the arena is 5,000 people. A large number of sports events ...

Johannesburg Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu language, Zulu and Xhosa language, Xhosa: eGoli ) (colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, Jo'burg or "The City of Gold") is the most populous city in South Africa. With 5,538,596 people in the City of Johannesburg alon ...

(1999–2000) and Big Top Arena, Carnival City (2001) in

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 Cyril John Mitchley (born 4 July 1938) is a South African former cricket player, umpire and match referee. As an umpire he officiated in first-class and Test cricket matches. Playing career During the late 1960s, Mitchley played for Transvaal ...

(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 Ice is water that is frozen into a solid state, typically forming at or below temperatures of 0 ° C, 32 ° F, or 273.15 K. It occurs naturally on Earth, on other planets, in Oort cloud objects, and as interstellar ice. As a naturally oc ...

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

References

External links

''Dispatch Online''
- Gladiator fans, are you ready?
''TamyFoxBaker''
- Former Gladiator FOX's own website. {{DEFAULTSORT:Mtn Gladiators 1999 South African television series debuts 2001 South African television series endings South African game shows Gladiators (franchise) 1990s South African television series 2000s South African television series