For weeks he was a hit on the box, his hunky bod dominating a tiny red cozzie. But Izak Davel (26) soon showed fans of Survivor South Africa: Santa Carolina he wasn’t just beefcake parading around in the sun.
It was touch and go whether we’d see Izak in his red bathing costume on Santa Carolina. He was in two minds whether he should take part in the series.
At the time he’d been married to Mericke (28) for only four months and his second CD, Verlore Harte – which has now sold 15 000 copies – hadn’t been on the shelves for long.
But in the end Izak decided to grab the opportunity with both hands to show his gratitude for the fact Mericke was cured of thyroid cancer.
He sabotaged tribemates’ plans a few times and disguised his intentions cunningly. But the tables were turned when he was voted out as a result of a very crafty ploy by fellow Survivor Ashley Hayden.
“I’m proud of the way I played the game,’’ actor and singer Izak says. ‘‘I have more stamina than I thought. And I realised I wasn’t as weak as I’d thought!”
And it’s just as well the island honed his body even more because we’ll soon see him in a role that will test his mettle. He recently landed a part in the movie Getroud met Rugby.
“It’s a wonderful role and there will be a lot of interesting developments. I was so happy when they phoned and said I’d got it.”
It’s based on the popular kykNET soapie about love intrigues surrounding rugby players and people in other sporting circles.
“It’s a big project and we’re filming throughout Gauteng,” he says excitedly of the film due for release in November. “I play Reghart and all I can say about him is he plays rugby. And there are going to be surprises.”
Read the full article in the latest issue of YOU, 15 April 2010.