SA Dance Team's Backstage Moments Wow Mzansi After Global Win
- A TikTok video showcasing the South African dance team's jubilant reaction after their 2025 Dance World Cup victory went viral
- The clip resonated deeply with South Africans online, who celebrated the young dancers' success on a global stage
- The Dance World Cup win symbolised not just a medal but a testament to the hard work and passion of South African youth
- Briefly News spoke to TDO and Miss Alex, both renowned choreographers, to unpack South Africa’s remarkable win at the Dance World Cup and what truly sets our dancers apart on the global stage
South Africans celebrated with immense pride as a viral TikTok video captured the emotional post-victory moments of their national dance team at the 2025 Dance World Cup, showcasing the country's exceptional talent and unity through dance.
Source: Facebook
South Africa’s dance talent is shining on the world stage. A recent TikTok video posted by user @mainly.lebo has gone viral due to its rapid spread across social media for capturing behind-the-scenes moments of the South African team after their incredible win at the 2025 Dance World Cup.
A video that has garnered thousands of views captures the dancers' excitement during the winners' announcement. Their infectious energy following the announcement resonated with many South Africans online, who expressed their pride in witnessing the nation's youth succeed on a global stage.
No DNA, just RSA
The Dance World Cup is a prestigious international competition that draws teams from over 60 countries. Team SA competed in various categories, from contemporary to hip-hop and traditional. Their victory wasn’t just a medal win; it was a celebration of local talent and determination.
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Social media users praised the clip for showing the hard work and passion behind the polished stage routines. What made the clip extra special was the raw authenticity, young people from all backgrounds, united by their love for dance and their pride in flaunting the South African flag.
When speaking to Briefly News, TDO said she believes it wasn’t just technical skill that earned Team SA the spotlight. While precision matters, she explained that international competitions are increasingly valuing something deeper, which is authenticity, presence and emotional connection. For her, South African dancers bring more than movement; they bring meaning.
“It probably wasn’t just about flawless technique. Global competitions are starting to shift—they’re no longer just rewarding precision but also presence, intention and freshness. South African dancers tend to bring something many others can’t fake: lived experience in movement. Our styles aren’t just steps—they carry story, community, rhythm, resistance and joy. That depth translates powerfully on stage. I imagine it’s that unfiltered physical honesty that made the world pay attention.”
When asked about the role of choreography, stage presence and emotional storytelling, TDO emphasised that while these elements are important, they only resonate when they come from a real place.
“They matter, of course. But here’s the catch: they only matter when they’re real. At that level, judges have seen everything: the flips, lines, tricks, tears. What they’re looking for isn’t just performance polish but conviction. Did the dancers mean what they danced? Was the story theirs or a copied formula? Strong choreography means nothing without truth. Emotional storytelling hits hardest when it’s not designed to impress but to express.”
Finally, her advice to aspiring dancers preparing for the world stage was bold and heartfelt. She encouraged young performers to dig deeper than technique or approval, to dance with purpose.
“Start with: why are you dancing this piece? Not just to win. Not just to represent. But what truth are you carrying into that space? International stages don’t need more imitation. They need dancers who are willing to be raw, who train beyond aesthetics, who know their roots and who understand how to move an audience without begging for applause."
According to Miss Alex, a winning routine is about more than just movement—it’s the sum of many artistic and technical parts working together. She highlighted that choreography must be intentionally crafted and rooted in deep understanding—not only of music and structure, but of the dancers themselves.
“Everything involved in the choreographic process is important: levels, texture, direction, formations, use of negative space, musicality, focus, speed, storytelling. These are the artistic and compositional elements needed to create a readable dance that connects to the audience.”
She emphasised that great choreography doesn’t happen in a vacuum. A choreographer needs to know their dancers inside and out, their strengths, their weaknesses, and how to use them strategically.
“The choreographer also has to understand each of their dancers’ strengths and weaknesses to be strategic when designing the routine.”
Miss Alex believes that the magic happens when technique meets emotion. A polished routine gains real power when dancers connect to the music, deliver with expressive clarity, and perform as a unified team.
“When the dancers understand their music deeply, have a great quality of movement and technique, and add the emotional elements with their performance, taking the audience with them on this journey using their eyes and body language, you get a routine that stands out enough to win.”
Source: TikTok
Here's what netizens had to say
Ayanda wrote:
“Dance World Cup? This was an obvious win! 🤷🏽♀️😂"
Glore said:
“Haai mina, I need our fave TikToker Grand Dilan. I want to hear how he's going to pronounce this win for South Africa! 💐”
Bee asked:
“Siyabonga, oe🥹… wait, what did we actually win?”
Phiwa added:
“We won, but we don’t even know what we won! 💐❤️”
🇿🇦Khobang said:
“Wait, Dance World Cup? Oh, we had to win; we’ve got a reputation to uphold. 😭😭"
𝓬𝓪𝔃 said:
“This calls for another celebration drink! 😩”
Sino wrote:
“Being South African means waking up and finding out we’ve won something new somewhere in the world. 😂🤌🏾”
Jaco Gilbert highlighted:
“No DNA, just RSA.”
Nosipho wrote:
“We’re winning competitions we didn’t even know existed. 😩 Go RSA! 🔥”
Thofolaw said:
“We’ll keep winning until there’s nothing left to win. 🤣🤣”
Nomasonto said:
“At this rate, people might think we’re using witchcraft if we’re not careful. 😭😂”
Thabibi wrote:
“I don’t even know what we’re celebrating, but… we won! Again! 😭😭”
Bathi NgiGhost said:
“That was such a sweet win… but wait, what did we win exactly? 😭”
Blond asked:
“What did we win this time? 😭😭”
King_Spitjo said:
“I’m honestly tired of South Africa winning everything. This country is just the best. 😂😂😂”
Watch the TikTok video below:
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- Shudufhadzo Musida was appointed as the UNPF's Global Champion for Women and Girls, vowing to end female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2030.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
