Arriving in the Pearl Islands for a media briefing, 14 South Africans were divided into two tribes of 7 (Aguila in Blue and Rana in Red) and were marooned immediately in Panama.

Tribal Council was difficult for Rana, but Jacinda was excited that her game had finally began. The atmosphere over at Aguila was positive, where their food and shelter situation was more stable. Brigitte and Sam were identified as a duo as Aguila noticed how close the two were getting since the beginning.

The mood in Aguila rose as the tribe's decision to keep Mzi for his role as food provider over the combatant Sam saw tribe morale return to normal. While Rana were starving as they still struggled to make fire after a week in the game.

Nico returned to camp furious that he was nearly voted out unanimously by the tribe, despite Aguila having no time to strategize after Jude's exit at Tribal Council. Rana's living situation continued to worsen as they were unable to make fire nine days into the game, with the women working hard to lift Gareth's morale to remain in the game.

Zayn was left blindsided by the vote, leaving Gareth concerned as he expressed that he'd flip on Rana if given the opportunity as he had no loyalties in the tribe. While Nico kept clashing with the rest of Aguila, after Brigitte had stolen his cigarettes to keep focus on him. Mzi had lost the tribe's fishing hook, but managed to fashion a makeshift hook from one of the women's accessories to maintain his role as food provider.