"Jesus Saved You": SA Cyclist's Close Cobra Encounter in Pine Forest Sends Mzansi Into Stitches

• A South African cyclist came face-to-face with a cobra while riding through a pine forest, and his reaction was caught on camera
• The page Slangboere shared the video with a warning to riders about snakes in the forest
• The clip sparked a wave of laughter online, with South Africans relating to the cyclist's very vocal fright

A South African cyclist got the fright of his life after nearly riding straight over a cobra hiding in a pine forest. The video was shared on 8 September 2026 by the Facebook page Slangboere, and it quickly spread across social media for all the right reasons.

In the clip, the cobra rears up as the cyclist suddenly appears above it. The snake, just as startled, bolts in the opposite direction the moment the man backs off. Slangboere used the moment to share an important message alongside the video, warning riders who frequent pine forests to stay alert but not to panic.

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Snake experts at Slangboere were quick to clear up a popular myth in the post's caption, writing that snakes always flee when given the chance and that stories of cobras chasing people are "old campfire stories people tell each other because they don't know better." The page explained that as long as riders keep their distance, they will be fine. The video also came with a warning about the cyclist's colourful language, with the page noting he was "scared big." Watch the cobra encounter below:

Mzansi reacts to the close call

The comments made it clear that more than a few South Africans have had their own unexpected run-ins with snakes on the trail, and the cyclist's very honest reaction resonated with many. South Africans in the comments had plenty to say, and most of them were laughing too hard to be sympathetic:

@Xavier Joyi wrote:

"Pin that location Slang kakkers hoek."

@Mario Esterhuizen joked:

"Was Jesus there?... lucky you, nothing to worry about then."

@Sifiso Thwala asked:

"Did he really kak himself 🤣"

Manda Boshoff wrote:

"If anything JESUS saved you. Even with the language."

@Suneylla Ismail Hanido admitted:

"I would've also kak'd myself 😲"

@Jaco Steyn quipped:

"Kakked a new mtb ramp right there"

@Waseem Rhoda shared:

"Had a similar experience at Hoogekraal at full speed with feet on handlebars, accompanied by similar language."

Other Briefly News stories about snakes

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Male lion walks inches from safari vehicle at Thornybush, leaving tourists stunned

• Chilling footage recorded inside a wooden enclosure captured Africa's fastest venomous snake raising its hood and striking multiple times in quick succession.
• Footage shared by Slangboere showed an extremely agitated snake coiling up and aggressively charging at experienced handlers.
• An older South African man's fearless handling of three large mole snakes at once left social media users completely speechless.

Source: Briefly News