RED BULL DANCE YOUR STYLE SOUTH AFRICA TOUR: SA’S BEST STREET DANCERS BATTLE FOR A SPOT AT THE WORLD FINAL

Bloemfontein Sets the Tone

The Bloemfontein regional qualifier, held on 14 February 2026 at Hoffman Square, delivered one of the most memorable moments of the entire tour.

The event was widely described as electrifying, with unmatched crowd energy that turned the square into a celebration of South African street dance culture.

History was made when 18-year-old Relebohile Matiya emerged victorious, becoming the first female dancer to win a regional qualifier in Bloemfontein.

Her performance throughout the night demonstrated confidence, technical ability, and undeniable stage presence — qualities that resonated strongly with the audience, who ultimately decide the winners in Red Bull Dance Your Style battles.

Finishing as runner-up was Vero, who also delivered a standout performance after navigating several intense one-on-one dance battles.

Beyond the results, the Bloemfontein qualifier marked a significant milestone for the city, which will also host its first-ever Red Bull Dance Your Style South Africa National Final later this month.

Durban Delivers Young Talent

Durban’s qualifier was nothing short of electric. The coastal city has long been known for its vibrant dance culture, and the 2026 edition of the competition lived up to that reputation.

Seventeen-year-old Lonwabo Buthelezi from Umlazi emerged as the Durban winner, captivating the audience with his stage presence and freestyle versatility. In a format where dancers must react instantly to unpredictable music, Lonwabo showed remarkable composure, adapting seamlessly to each track thrown at him by the DJ.

His victory secured him a place in the National Final scheduled for 28 March in Bloemfontein, where he will compete against other regional champions for the opportunity to represent South Africa on the global stage.

Durban’s crowd energy also played a major role. In Red Bull Dance Your Style, the audience does not just watch, they decide. Every battle is determined by crowd vote, meaning dancers must not only impress technically but also command the room.

Lonwabo did both.

ALSO READ: INSIDE THE RED BULL DANCE YOUR STYLE QUALIFIERS

Johannesburg Brings the Heat

If Durban brought energy, Johannesburg brought intensity.

The Johannesburg qualifier, hosted at the iconic Carlton Centre, raised the stakes dramatically. Unlike other legs, the battles began from a Top 32 format, with each dancer given only 30 seconds per song to prove themselves.

There was no room for hesitation.

To make matters even more dramatic, light rain occasionally fell during the event, creating a slippery stage that forced dancers to adjust their movement and balance. The conditions could easily have slowed the competition, but instead, they added another layer of challenge.

Despite the wet floor, the crowd stayed locked in. Event staff continuously wiped the stage between rounds to keep dancers safe, while the energy of the audience refused to fade.

By the end of the night, Joseph Moshobane, widely known as Mjepane, was crowned the Johannesburg winner after delivering a series of commanding freestyle performances.

His ability to connect with the crowd proved decisive in a format where audience reaction is everything.

For more information, visit www.redbulldanceyourstyle.com

A National Stage Awaits

The 2026 regional qualifiers took place between January and February across South Africa, with winners emerging from each major stop on the tour.

Confirmed regional winners include:

Johannesburg – Joseph Moshobane (Mjepane)
Durban – Lonwabo Buthelezi
Bloemfontein – Relebohile Matiya
Gqeberha – Mason “Beasty” Booysen
Cape Town – Luthando “Lulu” Baduza

The Road to the National Final

All regional champions will now converge in Bloemfontein for the Red Bull Dance Your Style South Africa National Final on 28 March 2026.

The final lineup will feature 16 dancers composed of regional winners, invited wildcards, and dancers who qualify through the online voting phase.

At stake is more than a national title.

The winner will earn the opportunity to represent South Africa at the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final in Zurich, Switzerland, on 24 October 2026.

For the dancers, the journey has been about more than trophies. It is about expression, identity, and proving that South African street dance belongs on the world stage.

For us at Yanos Plug, documenting this tour has been a powerful reminder that the country’s dance culture continues to evolve, producing talent that is fearless, creative, and globally competitive.

And if the regional qualifiers are anything to go by, the National Final in Bloemfontein promises to be something special.