WATCH: All-new #TeamHilux Dakar 2018 TV ad

Cape Town - The Toyota Gazoo SA racing team will battle against the harshest elements stacked up against man and machine when they head to South America for Dakar 2018. 

The team, headed chief engineer Glyn Hal, will run three Hilux bakkies with local legend and 2009 Dakar champion Giniel de Villiers leading the pack. De Villiers, a multiple champion, has won numerous rallies across South Africa. De Villiers will be partnered by regular navigator, Dirk von Zitzewitz.

Joining the South African in the second Hilux is Nasser Al-Attiyah who will be driving in his second season for Toyota Gazoo Racing. The third driver-navigator pairing is Bernard ten Brinke and Michel Périn.

Toyota SA's Dakar 2018 ad

The ad's caption reads: "Nod if you’re on the tougherest team around! Watch #TeamHilux take on Dakar 2018, 6 - 20th January on SuperSport. #ToyotaGazooRacingSA drivers are ready to tackle the tougher-er terrain of Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. Because if it's tougher-er, it's #TeamHilux!"