Giniel de Villiers has completed nearly two dozen Dakar Rally events. The Capetonian started competing in 2003 with Nissan and moved on to the works Volkswagen Motorsport effort. In 2009, he claimed the German outfit’s first win. He was an integral part of the team and helped team-mates to two successive wins after his own. When VW exited this form of motorsport to concentrate on the World Rally Championship, the Capetonian driver moved to the South African-run Toyota effort, where he has been since.

De Villiers has an enviable career in the world’s most grueling race, which makes it easy to forget his four touring car titles and numerous other circuit racing achievements. Here we take a look back at his Dakar career to date in images from the famous off-road race. Click here to read about the special bonus the VW Group arrange for winning the 2009 Dakar Rally.

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In his earlier days at Nissan driving a locally built Navara.

In his earlier days at Nissan driving a locally built Navara


VW dominated the Dakar for three consecutive years with De Villiers winning the 2009 race.

VW dominated the Dakar for three consecutive years with De Villiers winning the 2009 race


The co-pilot’s body language says it all.

The co-pilots body language says it all


The early Toyota years.

The early Toyota years.


Bashing his way through South America.

Bashing his way through South America


Cleared for take-off.

Cleared for take-off


In the 2019 race.

In the 2019 race.


Moments before setting off on a stage.


More recent forays in Saudi Arabia

Giniel de Villiers was not quite on the pace on 2020 Dakar Stage 6.


Flying high in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux.


Taming the dunes.