Meet Samkeliso 'Sam Sam' Thubane: the pro spinner blazing through the motorsport scene

Blazing through the South African motorsport scene with unmatched flair, 27-year-old Samkeliso Thubane—better known as Sam Sam—has become a rising icon in the adrenaline-fuelled world of spinning. Known for leaving his competitors in a cloud of tyre smoke, Sam Sam dominates every event he enters with style and precision.

Hailing from Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit) in Mpumalanga, Thubane grew up in a family rooted in business, but his heart was always in the fast lane. His passion for motorsport began with quad bikes, but it was a BMW E30—his first spinning car, bought with the support of his father—that launched him into the spotlight.

Sam Sam’s breakthrough moment came in 2016 when he starred in the popular TV competition So You Think You Can Spin? Over 13 action-packed episodes, he wowed audiences with his high-octane stunts, emerging as the top performer among 300 hopefuls. He captured the most public votes and walked away with the grand prize and nationwide recognition.

Since then, Thubane’s career has been on a thrilling upward trajectory. He’s twice claimed victory at the prestigious Red Bull Shay’ iMoto, cementing his place among the sport’s elite.

For Thubane, spinning is more than a sport—it’s a life path. He credits it with steering him away from potential pitfalls and hopes to inspire young South Africans to channel their energy into something powerful and positive.

Thubane says spinning has a bad reputation for being "reckless" and just a form of "entertainment", but he believes that the sport should be organised and levelled up to a stage "where it's safe for everyone and done in the correct way"—because it is a sport that requires precision, control, technique and driving skills.

From local tracks to national fame, Sam Sam continues to raise the bar—and burn rubber.