Sam Sam
In 2024, Samkeliso Thubane smiles brightly while wearing Red Bull branded apparel against a dark background in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Samkeliso 'Sam Sam'
Thubane

South Africa

South Africa

·

Spinning

The sultan of spin, Samkeliso 'Sam Sam' Thubane is an icon of the vibrant South African motorsport scene and smokes the competition at any event he enters.

Date of birth

9 March 1998

Age

27

Nationality

South Africa

South Africa

Disciplines

Motorsports Various

Best known as Sam Sam, Thubane hails from Mbombela – formerly know as Nelspruit – in the South African province of Mpumalanga. The son of a respected local businessman, he first cut his teeth on quad bikes before making the step up into the world of Spinning when he convinced his dad to buy him his first BMW E30.
His big break in terms of wider recognition came in 2016 when he took part in the TV show, So You Think You Can Spin? Over the course of 13 30-minute episodes, he showcased his jaw-dropping skills behind the wheel to come first out of 300 contestants, garnering the most public votes and walking away with a big cash prize.
Since then he has gone from strength to strength; twice winning the prestigious Red Bull Shay' iMoto. He credits the sport of Spinning with helping to keep him on the right path in life and hopes his success will serve as inspiration to a burgeoning new generation of spinners.