SA7: Island of Secrets
AU11: Australia v The WorldChallenges: MPF percentile
91%
Seasons: 2 | Days played: 41 | Wins: 1 | Jury: 0
- SurvivorSA 7: Island of Secrets (2019) - Winner, 6-4-0.
- Sent to Island of Secrets 2 times. Cumulative time: In-game - 37 days; IoS - 2 days.
- Received six jury votes, to win 6-4-0 in Episode 18 (Day 39).
- SurvivorAU 11: Australia v The World (2025) - 14th place, 1st out.
- Voted out in Episode 1 (Day 2).
Rob Bentele on social media: Instagram
| Challenge stats | Tribal council stats | Jury stats | Overall stats | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | ChW | ChA | ChW% | VFB | VAP | TCA | TC% | wTCR | JVF | TotJ | JV% | SurvSc | SurvAv |
| SA7: Island of Secrets | 7.50 | 14.40 | 0.52 | 11 | 3 | 12 | 0.91 | 3.67 | 6 | 10 | 0.60 | 2.03 | 14.76 |
| AU11: AU v World | 0.00 | 0.14 | 0.00 | 0 | 6 | 1 | -0.86 | 0.00 | - | - | - | -0.86 | 0.00 |
| Career | 7.50 | 14.54 | 0.52 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 0.75 | 1.82 | 6 | 10 | 0.60 | 1.87 | 13.66 |
Rob Bentele - Performance ranks
Tribal: VFB% percentile
91%
Tribal: rVAP percentile
96%
Challenges: MPF percentile
NA
Tribal: VFB% percentile
3%
Tribal: rVAP percentile
17%
Performance ranks are a quick visual measure of the contestant's season vs. historical data from all prior contestants, in three basic (scorable) categories:
1. Performance in individual challenges (MPF), as a measure of "physical game";
2. Ability to vote people out consistently (VFB%, or VFB/TCA), or "strategic game"; and
3. Ability to avoid being voted against (rVAP, or TCA-VAP) - which scales better than a percentage would - for "social/strategic game."
See also: Full glossary for all these abbreviations.
Rob Bentele - Challenge record
Tribal/team challenge record (6-for-15; 2 sit-outs):
- [SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.1 RC - Raises the platform to gather supplies (not counted as a challenge).]
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.1 IC - Helps disassemble, carry, and re-assemble puzzle pieces, but Sa'ula loses (3rd/3).
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.2 RC/IC - Helps lift the bag of coconuts, as Sa'ula loses again (3rd/3).
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.2 IC "Water Slaughter" - Loses both match-ups, Sa'ula loses (2nd/2).
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.3 RC/IC "Mud Slide" - Wins both match-ups, and Sa'ula wins! (1st/3).
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.4 RC/IC - Part of the tribe's plank train, and Ta'alo wins (1st/3).
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.5 RC "Concentration" - Sits out, as Ta'alo wins again.
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.5 IC - Grabs a tile and moves it through the puzzle; Ta'alo wins (1st/3).
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.6 RC - Makes no catches, and Ta'alo is one of two losing tribes.
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.6 IC - Sits out, as Ta'alo takes second place.
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.7 RC "Spoon Man" - Helps transfer the balls along, and Ta'alo wins.
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.7 IC "Hot Pursuit" - Carries his bag for Ta'alo, but Ta'alo loses.
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.8 RC "Kicking and Screaming" - Drags Nate and Durao; Ta'alo wins, 3-0.
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.8 IC - Second ball carrier, Ta'alo takes a lead and eventually, Ta'alo wins.
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.10 RC - Initially has a lead flinging discs, but blows it and the teal team doesn't win.
- SA: Island of Secrets: Ep.11 RC/IC - With Steffi and Laetitia, part of the non-winning teal team.
Individual challenge record (6-for-11): (Mean % finish: 79.5%)
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 9 IC: "When It Rains" - Lasts over two hours, 11th to drop out (3rd/13).
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 10 IC: "Last Gasp" - Outlasts Steffi at over an hour, and Rob wins! (1st/12).
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 12 RC: (Cylinders) - Reaches the final round, but not close to the win (3rd/10).
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 12 IC: "Flash Back" - First person out, on the 4th symbol in Round 1 (10th/10).
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 13 IC: (Bow, snake maze) - After a three-way race to place the last ball, Rob wins! (1st/9).
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 14 IC: (Keys, puzzle) - Working on the puzzle when Nicole wins (tie-3rd/8).
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 15 IC: "Teeter Tower" - In a tight race with Mike, but does not win (tie-2nd/7).
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 16 RC/IC: (Loved ones) - Knocks down his blocks before opponents hit any, Rob wins (1st/6).
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 17 RC: "Over Extended" - Only person to reach the six-pole stage, and Rob wins (1st/5).
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 17 IC: (Maze, 3-tier puzzle) - First to the puzzle, and Rob wins easily (1st/5).
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 18 IC: "The Ball Drop" - With an underhand grip, holds on to 5 pieces, and Rob wins (1st/4).
Island of Secrets/split RC duel record (1-for-1): (Mean % finish: 100.0%)
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 13 RC: Outlasts Mmaba, and Rob wins advantage(s)... at IoS (1st/2).
Tribal/team challenge record (0-for-1):
- [AU: Australia v The World Ep. 1 RC: (Head-to-head slide, scramble) - Beats David for a point, but both tribes win stuff; not counted.]
- AU: Australia v The World Ep. 1 IC: (Stairs, blocks, slingshots) - Hits zero targets with the slingshot; World loses, 8-4.
Individual challenge record (0-for-0):
- AU: Australia v The World: None.
Hero challenge/ duel record (0-for-0):
- AU: Australia v The World: None.
Career totals - challenges
| Wins: | 6 |
| Played: | 15 |
| Win %: | 0.40 |
| Sat out: | 2 |
| Wins: | 6 |
| Played: | 11 |
| Win %: | 0.55 |
| Mean% Finish: | 79.5% |
| Wins: | 1 |
| Played: | 1 |
| Win %: | 1.00 |
| Mean% Finish: | 100% |
Rob Bentele - Tribal Council record
Idols held/played (1/1; 0 votes voided):
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 4: Somehow gained possession of the (allegedly tribal) Sa'ula idol at the swap.
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 17: Finally plays the idol, for Nicole, voiding no votes.
VFB - Votes for the person booted (10/12):
| Tribal | Voted | Boot (totals) | VFB? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep1 | Lee-Anne | Lee-Anne van Renen (voted out, 5-2) | Yes |
| Ep2 | -* | Paul Smulders (voted out, 4-1) | - |
| Ep7 | Rocco | Rocco van Rooyen (voted out, 6-1) | Yes |
| Ep9 | Meryl | Meryl Szolkiewicz (voted out, 7-6) | Yes |
| Ep10 | Geoffrey | Geoffrey Cooke-Tonnesen (voted out, 9-2-1) | Yes |
| Ep11 | Seipei | Seipei Mashugane (voted out, 7-2-1-1) | Yes |
| Ep12 | Dante | Dante de Villiers (voted out, 5-3-1-1) | Yes |
| Ep13 | Cobus | Cobus Hugo (voted out, 5-2-2) | Yes |
| Ep14 | Mmaba | Mmaba Molefe (voted out, 5-[0]-1) | Yes |
| Ep15 | Jacques | Jacques Burger (voted out, 4-3) | Yes |
| Ep16 | Mike | Mike Venter (voted out, 4-1-1) | Yes |
| Ep17 | Laetitia | Steffi Brink (idoled out, [0]-2-1) | - |
| Ep18 | Laetitia | Laetitia le Roux (voted out, 3-1) | Yes |
| 12* | TOTALS | 11 | |
*Rob was present but unable to vote at the Ep2 Tribal Council; no TCA charged.
VAP - Votes against (3):
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 7: One vote, from Rocco.
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 11: One vote, from Dante.
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 14: One vote, from Jacques.
Jury votes received (6/10):
- SA: Island of Secrets, Ep. 18: Received six jury votes, from Meryl Szolkiewicz, Geoffrey Cooke-Tonnesen, Dante de Villiers, Mmaba Molefe, Mike Venter, and Laetitia le Roux, to win, 6-4-0.
Idols held/played (0/0):
- AU: Australia v The World: None.
VFB - Votes for the person booted (0/1):
| Tribal | Voted | Boot (totals) | VFB? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep1 | Cirie | Rob Bentele (voted out, 6-1) | - |
| 1 | TOTALS | 0 | |
VAP - Votes against (6):
- AU: Australia v The World, Ep. 1: Six votes, from Cirie, Kass, Lisa, Parvati, Tommi, and Tony (voted out, 6-1).
Jury votes made (0/0):
- AU: Australia v The World: None.
Career totals - Tribal Council
| Advantages held/played: | 0/0 |
| Idols found: | 1 |
| Idols played: | 1 |
| Votes voided: | 0 |
| VFB: | 11 |
| Tribals: | 12* |
| VAP: | 3 |
| Made: | 0 |
| For winners: | - |
| Received: | 6 |
| Total jurors: | 10 |
Rob Bentele - Pictures
-
Island of Secrets intro shot -
Island of Secrets intro shot -
On the boat, Day 1 -
Greeting Nico -
The original Sa'ula tribe -
Confessional about picking leaders -
Starting line, Ep1 RC -
Alliance formed: The Amigos -
Sa'ula uses Paul's clue to dig up their idol, Day 2 -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep1 IC -
Starting line -
Everyone still working on the puzzle -
The losing Sa'ulas -
Listening to Seipei's pitch -
Heading to Tribal, literally carrying his alliance on his back -
Sa'ula, Ep1 Tribal Council -
Nathan changes the target to Lee-Anne -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep2 RC/IC -
Hoisting coconuts as Sa'ula doesn't win -
Talking about downplaying his threat level (after being sent to Island of Secrets) -
Ready to play the IoS game -
Just picked the "No Vote" box. Whoops. -
Pre-challenge lineup, second Ep2 IC -
Running out for the final point -
Trying to prevent Dante from scoring -
Amigos, plotting -
Trying to talk Nate out of giving up -
Heading to Tribal -
Sa'ula, Ep2 Tribal Council -
Talking to Nico -
Sa'ula discovers Paul left with the flint, Ep3 -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep3 RC/IC -
Scoring the first point -
Sa'ula wins! Immunity and reward! -
Finally safe from Tribal Council -
Putting the reward flint to good use -
Pre-swap lineup, Ep7 -
The new new Ta'alo tribe -
Placing the ball, Ep7 RC -
Ta'alo wins reward! -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep7 IC -
Ta'alo, about to get caught -
Confessional about his plan to take out Rocco -
Steffi waits to join Ta'alo, Ep7 Tribal Council -
Listening to Mike -
Reunited with Steffi, Ep8 -
Realizing that maybe Steffi is a liability -
Forming a new alliance with Mike -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep8 RC -
Dragging Durao -
Ta'alo wins reward... cheers! -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep8 IC -
Watching the final wheel maze -
Ta'alo wins immunity! -
Ready to merge, Ep9 -
Cheers! (To Steers!) -
Merge feasting -
Gushing about the food -
Conferring with Seipei -
Listening to Nicole's story of the Nate blindside -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep9 IC -
Starting line -
Still going... -
The immunity non-winners -
Talking with the Laumei chaps -
Jacques and Cobus discuss a convoluted long-term plan -
Manumalo, Ep9 Tribal Council -
Manumalo, Ep9 Tribal Council -
Listening to Dante -
Checking in with Nicole, Ep10 -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep10 RC -
Teal team, starting line -
Flinging discs -
Laetitia contemplates quitting -
Getting the reward trip report from Durao -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep10 IC -
Starting line -
Rob wins his showdown with Steffi -
Safe from Tribal Council tonight -
Nothing to worry about, Geoff -
Heading to Tribal -
Manumalo, Ep10 Tribal Council -
Listening to Jacques -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep11 IC -
Teal team, ready to go -
Waiting for Laetitia -
Another spy report from Durao -
Conferring with Steffi -
Seipei's dream final three -
Giving Nicole the half-idol from Seipei -
Manumalo, Ep11 Tribal Council -
Listening to Steffi -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep12 RC -
Starting line -
Digging deep, second round -
Final round, unable to catch up to Dante -
In-camp grousing about Dante winning all the rewards -
Plannning to use this to sway people -
Listening to treemail -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep12 IC -
Manumalo, Ep12 Tribal Council -
Talking to Nico -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep13 RC -
Competing with Mmaba in a duel -
Your advantage is a trip to the Island of Secrets -
Let's hope it's better than last time -
It is (feast plus letters from home) -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep13 IC -
Starting line -
Placing balls -
Rob wins immunity! -
Manumalo, Ep13 Tribal Council -
Listening to Durao -
Jacques is a pariah now, Ep14 -
Checking the Durao report -
Talking about his plan to test Durao's loyalty -
Taking back the idol he just gave Durao -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep14 IC -
Starting line -
Working the puzzle -
Yay, Nicole wins! -
Listening to Steffi's plan -
Manumalo, Ep14 Tribal Council -
Jacques announces he's pre-playing his idol -
Listening to treemail, Ep15... auction? -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep15 RC -
Not quite an auction, as Nicole gets stuff for free -
Final distribution? -
Having a laugh with Durao -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep15 IC -
Starting line -
About to lose to Mike -
Making a fake plan to vote Steffi... next time -
It's somewhat important they have a future plan, so they don't vote me out here -
Checking in with the actual alliance -
Telling Durao and Mike to vote Steffi anyway -
Manumalo, Ep15 Tribal Council -
Listening to Nico -
Explaining the stray Steffi votes, Ep16 -
Listening to treemail -
The loved ones are here! -
Rob and his mom -
Rob and his mom, already leading -
Making progress on the sandbag tossing -
Rob wins! -
In addition to immunity, you get to pick people to join you on reward -
Rewardees picked -
Reward feasting -
Talking to mom -
Heading to Tribal -
Manumalo, Ep16 Tribal Council -
Talking to Nico -
I know you were coming for me, bro -
I'm a little worried that I feel too safe, Ep17 -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep17 RC -
Starting line -
Winning again -
Off to reward with Nicole -
Hoping this makes up for not taking her to the loved ones reward -
Cheers! -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep17 IC -
The imposing starting line -
Making progress on the puzzle... -
Rob wins immunity! -
Um, nope -
Safe at Tribal Council tonight -
Ha ha, no voting me out tonight -
Learning Steffi did, in fact, want him out -
Manumalo, Ep17 Tribal Council -
Talking to Nico -
Yup, it was *all* Steffi -
I don't trust Nicole that much, come on... Ep18 -
Pre-challenge lineup, F4 IC -
Scenic starting line -
Holding on for victory -
Rob wins final immunity! -
Laetitia talks about how the jury hates Nicole -
Good point, Laetitia. I should 100% take Nicole to the final three -
Manumalo, F4 Tribal Council -
Final three, Day 39 -
Cheers to Day 39 breakfast! -
Reflecting on his game, fully submerged -
Heading to Tribal Council, one last time -
The final three, ready to face the jury -
Answering jury questions -
Watching the vote reveal -
The winner of Island of Secrets... -
Hugging his family -
Reflecting back on his win, reunion show -
The final three -
Full cast, reunion show
-
Australia v The World intro shot -
Australia v The World intro shot -
Riding in, Day 1 -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep1 RC -
Starting line, vs. David -
Selected the mystery box as the first reward item -
World tribe introductions -
Seems legit -
I'm immune to Parvati's charms -
We non-US players have the majority! -
Ironic foreshadowing as Parvati's birthday present -
Hauling the stairs, Ep1 IC -
Watching Tony fire the slingshot -
The losing World tribe talks about the vote -
Sure, okay -
World tribe, Ep1 Tribal -
Just told everyone about Parvati and David's DONDI alliance -
First person voted out of AU v The World... -
Snuffed, Day 2 (Episode 1)
Rob Bentele - Interviews
Pre-game interviews
- M-Net pre-game interview video (Instagram).
Post-game interviews
- Ryan Brink at Brink of Reality (1/12/18): "Rob Bentele Deep Dive | Australian Survivor 2017"
- Shannon Guss at RHAP (9/29/19): "Survivor South Africa: Island of Secrets | Rob Bentele Deep Dive"
Pre-game interviews
- Official pre-game interview video (Instagram video).
Post-game interviews
- Shannon Guss at RHAP (8/18/25): "Survivor AU: Australia V World Premiere Exit Interview"
Rob Bentele - Bio
Official M-Net SA: Island of Secrets bio excerpts (May, 2019):
"Robert Bentele is the drop-dead gorgeous exotic Trevor Noah lookalike on the show. His dad is Austrian and his mother is Zulu. And even though he grew up mainly in the Zulu culture, he embraces and celebrates his unique identity. He has been a bodybuilder and MMA fighter and has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, but for him "everything is about the energy". He is into Zen, meditation, peace, balance and spiritual enlightenment. Before he outwits, outplays and outlasts, his game strategy is to out charm his teammates and rivals alike. “I’m a chameleon, I can be anything you want me to be,” Robert says. But is it possible to stay this cool and collected while others are aiming daggers at your back?”"
Official Ten AU: Australia v The World bio excerpts (2025):
"Winner of Survivor South Africa, Rob’s streak of Immunity wins and his social game made him forever known as King of Survivor SA.
Playing in 2019, Rob is a challenge beast with natural charisma and a strategic mind, and he says he’s ready to play with the best from around the world.
Rob says, “Never has it happened in history that there’s an overlay of the best players on earth from all different corners of the world. My ultimate dream would be to play with Boston Rob – I watched him as a kid growing up and he ignited the Survivor flame in me as a young boy.”
Physically strong, Rob dominated in challenges during his season and his strong social connections gave him the win and he’s here to prove it was not a fluke.
He says, “I was never in danger in my season, but I’ll need to be careful when I’m playing against the best in the world this time. I want them to think I’m innocent and to forget about me.
“There’s no question Australians are tough in Survivor, but they’ve never come across an African. And that will be their downfall.”"