Stephan Jacobs will be Independent Media's Fortuner Challenge 2026 powered by Quartz Engine Oil competitor.
Image: Supplied
Stephan Jacobs enters the Fortuner Challenge 2026 powered by Quartz Engine Oil as Independent Media’s competitor, bringing a mix of endurance sport experience and technical thinking, looking to make it a hat-trick of wins for Independent.
“I first heard about the challenge through friends who entered last year, that’s where it started for me,” he said
He has also drawn insight from last year's Independent Media’s winner Hennie Terrblanche. “I’ve spoken to him about how to prepare, and he said it’s very difficult to prepare for something like this. They choose you based on your fitness level, and according to him, I’m completely ready.”
“I grew up on a farm in the Free State and loved sports, farming and people,” he said.
After school, he went to Stellenbosch University to study engineering.
“When I got there, I realised how much of an opportunity we have to explore the outdoors and adventure. I just fell in love with all of it.”
His early sporting focus was rugby, horse riding, shooting and athletics.
“I was in a high-performing boys’ school, so rugby was the main focus. Everything else came second.”
A knee injury during his university years forced a change in direction.
“I had to recover for a few months, and after that I started cycling, running and swimming. I realised that it's much healthier for my body, and I really enjoyed it.”
This led to endurance events, including half Ironman races and the Calling Cape Town Challenge, an extreme endurance triathlon that includes an 8 kilometre open-water swim from Robben Island to Big Bay, the Cape Town Cycle Tour and the 50 kilometre Three Peaks Trail Run all within 24 hours.
“I did the Calling Cape Town challenge last year with my wife and have completed a few half Ironmans.”
With specialised bikes as one of the sponsors the Fortuner Challenges has a number of cycle-focussed challenges, so it’s a good thing that cycling has become his preferred discipline.
“If I go for a run, I can manage maybe 10 kilometres. On a bike I can do 40 kilometres in the same time and see a lot more. That’s why I like cycling.”
Stephan Jacobs has competed in half Ironman races and the Calling Cape Town Challenge.
Image: Supplied
Jacobs anticipates a shift in this year’s challenge towards mental performance.
“I hear they’re focusing more on brain power this year and less on physical aspects.
“I’ve realised I need to be sharp with puzzles and memory. So I’ve started doing more puzzle-solving games and maths-type challenges on my phone, just to keep my head straight,” said the mechanical engineer managing a production facility that develops biomedical products.
“I drive a 2011 Isuzu bakkie that was my grandfather’s last bakkie before he passed on,” he said.
“We’re planning to move back to the farm in the Free State so you need something that can handle those roads,” he said about the possibility of winning a Toyota Fortuner.
Jacobs has already begun analysing potential hero teammates.
Competitors pull a coloured ball out of a bag and are then paired with the heroes.
This year’s heroes are Saood Variawa from Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, professional Cheetahs rugby player Clayton Blommetjies, former professional footballer Morgan Gould and equestrian competitor Tamar Gliksman.
“I’ve studied them, looked at their strengths, especially around mental capacity,” he said.
While a previous winner may seem like the safe choice, he is also considering alternative strategies.
“A safe option would be to go with last year’s winner, Variawa, but if I had to take a gamble I’d go with the Gliksman. She's tough, and her core strength will be very strong.”
Jacobs is under no illusion about how tough the Fortuner Challenge will be, but his approach remains focussed.
“I’m very excited, it’s going to be tough, but I’m not going to give up, I’m not going to quit,” he concluded.