Juanita Pienaar spoke with Gys Jacobs, Director of Jacobs Transport, and David Reynders, New Vehicle Sales Executive at Scania South Africa, about a landmark moment in heavy haulage: the delivery of the country’s first Scania 8x8 trucks.
A new class of heavy hauler
The arrival of Scania’s 8x8 trucks marks a significant development in South Africa’s logistics and transport industry. According to Reynders, “These trucks are specialised – it’s the first time 8x8 heavy haulers of this kind are entering the South African market. Other manufacturers may have 8x4 units, but nothing with this level of gross combination mass of 220 tonnes.”
Developed in response to specific operational challenges, these units offer exceptional traction and power, key for super-abnormal loads. “In the heavy haulage market, traction is one of the biggest problems,” says Reynders. “With traditional 6x4 trucks, the front axle often lifts, reducing grip. With these 8x8 units, all axles provide traction, solving that issue entirely.”
Built to spec
The trucks’ journey from concept to delivery has been long and highly customised. While they originate from Scania’s base in Sweden, the final configuration is the result of several levels of modification. “They’re first built as rigids in Sweden, then sent to Luxor where they’re transformed into 8x8 configurations,” explains Reynders.
Additional engineering was handled locally. “We worked with SHE Engineering to make region-specific modifications,” he says. “These trucks didn’t come out of the factory ready for South African conditions, our engineering partner made sure they would thrive here.”
From a legislative standpoint, everything had to be compliant. “It wasn’t just about what the truck could physically do,” Reynders notes. “It had to be 100% legal under South African road regulations.”
Jacobs Transport leads the way
Jacobs Transport is the first South African company to take delivery of the new Scania 8x8 trucks – three units, in total. But for Gys Jacobs, this wasn’t about making headlines. “I didn’t think about it as being ‘the first’ at the time,” he admits. “We needed the vehicles for a project. It was only afterwards that I realised it was a big deal – especially for Scania.”
Jacobs Transport has been steadily expanding into super abnormal transport, a segment defined by payloads over 125 tonnes. “That’s when traction becomes non-negotiable,” Jacobs explains. “The normal 6x4s and even 8x4s just don’t offer enough grip, especially when you hit gradients like the ones on wind farms. The 8x8 gives us power on every wheel – no spinning, no struggling.”
He adds that the move is strategic. “After this purchase, we might just be the biggest super abnormal transporter in South Africa,” he says. “We’re not talking general abnormal, we’re talking super large.”
Operational gains and market impact
Beyond power and traction, the 8x8 configuration offers real operational efficiencies. “Before, we needed two truck tractors for these types of loads,” says Jacobs. “Now, one 8x8 can do the job alone. That’s one less driver, one less licence, less fuel, and more fleet availability for other jobs.”
Scania’s Reynders confirms that these efficiencies are a game changer. “This isn’t just about horsepower,” he explains. “It’s about reliability, backup, and running costs. Jacobs Transport is a long-time client because we’ve proven ourselves on those fronts.”
The 8x8 trucks feature 620hp engines and Euro 5 compliance, in line with global sustainability efforts. “More clients, especially those handling public infrastructure or bidding for tenders, are demanding cleaner fleets,” Reynders adds. “AdBlue systems and Euro 5 ratings are fast becoming baseline requirements.”
A home on the road for drivers
Long hauls and restricted operating hours mean drivers often sleep roadside, and Scania has taken that into account. “These cabs are like mobile homes,” says Reynders. “Fridges, microwaves, double sleeper bunks – everything you need. When drivers are confined to specific time windows, comfort and rest become crucial for safety and productivity.”
Jacobs hasn’t spent much time in the cab himself yet. “I haven’t even seen inside,” he laughs. “But I’ve seen the powertrain specs – and that’s what matters for now. I’ll leave the cab experience to the guys on the road.”
Momentum builds across the market
While Jacobs Transport may be first, they certainly won’t be the last. “Other clients are already placing orders,” says Reynders. “There’s a sudden boom in demand for heavy haulers – wind farms, transformers, coastal shipyards. One client told me if I had 20 of the 6x4s in stock, they’d take them all today.”
He believes the visibility of Jacobs’ units will fuel even more interest. “Once these trucks are seen on the road – and you can’t miss them – others will want them too. The mindset is shifting. Customers don’t want to be left behind.”
Built on trust and track record
For Jacobs, the partnership with Scania is built on history. “There are cheaper trucks out there, sure,” he says. “But Scania has proven itself. My first one lasted over a decade. When we sat down with David and their pre-sales analyst, Michael Marosi, we worked through every spec. That kind of support makes a big difference.”
Looking ahead, Jacobs sees continued collaboration. “There’s no contract work lined up for these trucks just yet – they’ll be used for ad hoc work in SA and cross-border. But more are likely in the future. These are rare beasts. You don’t find them behind every bush.”
A strategic step for Scania SA
Scania views this rollout as part of a broader regional growth plan. “These trucks will put us on the map in the heavy haulage space,” says Reynders. “The market is small, but growing fast. Once these are out there, people will talk, and more orders will follow.”
With a robust service network spanning Southern Africa and strong aftersales support, Scania is ready. “All our technicians are trained, and our parts strategy ensures high availability,” Reynders adds. “It’s about peace of mind. These are big machines doing big jobs. We’re here to keep them moving.”
As South Africa’s logistics sector continues to evolve, the arrival of Scania’s 8x8s and Jacobs Transport’s pioneering role may well mark the start of a new era in heavy haulage.