Rocco, the Superman of Survivor SA: Island Of Secrets, has his final say

“Nicole is definitely a chameleon and dangerous, as the last lie she told about her time on the Island of Secrets was Oscar winning.” - Rocco van Rooyen 

From the moment he landed on Survivor South Africa season 7, Olympian javelinist Rocco van Rooyen (26) from Cape Town stood out as a powerful and popular player with the ability to win physical challenges in a flash. Unfortunately, Survivor SA’s Superman – as Rob dubbed him this week –  was destroyed by a Kryptonite of deceit after the show’s second Tribal Shuffle. The newly-formed Tribe Ta’alo cunningly conspired to fly the mighty man who they feared would become an unstoppable force once the Tribes merged. When host Nico Panagio read the votes, Rocco – who has never been to Tribal Council before – became the seventh person to be voted off Survivor SA: Island of Secrets.

Why do you think you were booted out of the game?

I think I was voted out because I was a physical threat and played a good social game. The Tribe didn’t want Superman to save them.

What indications were there for you that you might have a target on your back at Tribal Council?

There was no response from my tribemates, I could feel that something was off. They gave me no eye contact and things were too quiet.

What was your game plan going into the series?

My game plan was to become close enough with as many people as possible to carry me through to Merge and then adapt my gameplay after Merge.

Who do you think were your closest friends, and also your enemies?

My closest friends were Dante and Laetitia and my enemies were Rob and Cobus.

What emotions ran through your head when Nico called your name?

I thought to myself: “Oh no, is it all coming to an end. What is happening and is there nothing I can do?”

What was the most challenging part of the series for you?

The most challenging was being away from my wife and family when things got tough physically and emotionally. The day of my wife’s birthday was an extra tough day.

How did you cope with hygiene and lack of food during your time in the series?

I didn’t cope very well. The hygiene wasn’t that bad because the ocean was there. The lack of food was extremely tough, but talking about food tricked my brain into thinking that its close.

Who do you think is a chameleon and dangerous in the game?

In my opinion, Nicole is definitely a chameleon and dangerous, as the last lie she told about her time on the Island of Secrets was Oscar winning.

What was the first thing you did when you got back home?

The first thing I did when I got back home was go on a dinner date with my wife, mostly just to watch her eat as I couldn’t stomach anything at that point.

Who do you think have the qualities to win the series?
I think Dante or Meryl, because they strategise the best and play a moral game.

What did you make of the nickname Superman the tribe gave you?

In some ways, I enjoy the nickname. It’s not a bad way to exit the game as Superman.