The FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) traveled south to Cape Town, South Africa’s DHL Stadium, for the series finale of the 2025 season on December 13. The SX1 title hung in the balance as Jason Anderson and Joey Savatgy entered the final race tied in points, with Christian Craig just one point behind in third place. The SX2 Championship was all but decided, with Max Anstie needing only seven points to secure another WSX crown. Ultimately, Anderson won the overall in a dramatic race and claimed the SX1 title, while defending SX2 Champion Shane McElrath earned his first overall win of the season.
SX1
The SX1 division came down to the wire in the final round of the series for a true winner-take-all scenario. Pipes Motorsport Group Suzuki’s Jason Anderson executed on all fronts with wins in the first two sprint races, beating out his rival Savatgy on both occasions. The final gate drop of the night was for all the marbles as the two Americans duked it out for the full 12 laps. Multiple passes and points of contact were made, but both riders stayed upright and fought all the way to the finish, resulting in a thrilling end to the season. Anderson managed to hold Savatgy at bay, sweeping the night’s overall win and taking the SX1 Championship by just five points.
“Joey kept me on my toes,” Anderson said. “Two 8s [minutes] and a 12: that’s a lot of intense racing. I’m pretty exhausted, but I just want to thank the team. It’s cool to win this for Suzuki and for Pipes Motorsports and all my guys. I’m excited.”
Savatgy rode to three strong second-place finishes on Saturday night. He won the Superpole lap and later recovered from a poor start in race two, fighting all the way back to Anderson’s rear wheel at the checkered flag to keep his title hopes alive going into the final race of the night. The Quad Lock Honda rider took control of the lead multiple times in race three and traded paint with Anderson during the night but came up just short in the overall title hunt. He finished the season in second overall.
“I’m glad we got to put on a show,” Savatgy said. “It’s unfortunate … but I tried my best. I should have picked a better point to make a strike. The fact that we were as close as we were on a track that was not my favorite. I’m happy. We were good tonight but not quite good enough.”
Colt Nichols joined his Suzuki teammate on the overall podium with a third-place finish, going 3-6-4 and beating out Craig by just two points. Craig came into the night with a shot at the title but ended up fourth overall and third in the championship. His consistent performances also helped earn Quad Lock Honda the overall Team Championship.
SX2
Max Anstie had the SX2 title all but wrapped up going into the South Africa finale, having won the overall in every round this season coming into the final. The question at round five was whether he would play it safe for the title or go for it to keep the win streak alive. Anstie answered that question during race one when defending champion Shane McElrath came out swinging with a win to start the night. Still, Anstie’s second earned him enough points to clinch the championship with two gate drops still left in the night. The two rivals went at it in the final two races, but McElrath came out on top by putting in his best performance of the year. The Quad Lock Honda rider swept the night with 1-1-1 finishes, taking his first overall of the year and putting an end to Anstie’s perfect season.
“We persevered, and it was an uphill battle,” said McElrath immediately after his first overall triumph of the season. “We learned a lot this year as a team and [me] also personally. The fans here in South Africa have been a real treat, and I’m proud to hear the American anthem. We’re excited to end up on top tonight.”
Anstie’s 2-2-2 proved good enough for the title and for second overall in South Africa.
“I cannot give it up enough to my wife and little son and the whole Star Yamaha crew back in America,” said Anstie. “The bike never missed a beat, and, of course, Serge [team owner Serge Guidetty] and all the guys at the GSM team here. It’s awesome to make this whole collaboration work. Supercross felt like such a dream, and it took me so long to get to the top. I’m in a solid spot in my career.”
Enzo Lopes held third going into the final race, but his Rick Ware Racing teammate Coty Schock’s 5-4-3 scores landed him onto the final spot on the box for the night and third in the season’s final standings. Lopes was eighth overall and fifth in the points standings with 136 points, behind Cullin Park (144 points).
“There are a lot of things I should feel happy about, but the last few weekends have not gone my way,” Schock said. “Third on the night, third for the season though: I felt we made progress on the bike, and it showed.” CN
SX1 (Top 5)
1. Jason Anderson (Suz) 1-1-1
2. Joey Savatgy (Hon) 2-2-2
3. Colt Nichols (Suz) 3-6-4
4. Christian Craig (Hon) 5-8-3
5. Luke Clout (Kaw) 4-4-8
SX2 (Top 5)
1. Shane McElrath (Hon) 1-1-1
2. Max Anstie (Yam) 2-2-2
3. Coty Schock (Yam) 5-4-3
4. Cullin Park (Hon) 3-6-5
5. Kyle Peters (Kaw) 6-5-7
