South Africa voted this week to break the deadlock when the judges couldn’t make a final decision at Sun City between Kerry Sanssoucie and Durban’s Josslynn Hlenti, and the fans decided to keep Kerry in the competition.

But Kerry barely had time to enjoy her victory in her first Idols cut when she was hurled straight into the second big face-off of the season. The voting lines opened at the start of tonight’s show and the five contestants that receive the most votes this week will go through to the Top 10. The judges will select the other five members of the Top 10, and five contestants will go home!

So with the stakes about as high as they could be, Sibosisiwe “Miss J” Jali (20) from Durban stepped up to the mic first, with the Katy Perry hit “Firework”. Unfortunately, though, Randall noted, it’s a giant leap from Sun City to the live Idols stage and he thought Miss J’s vocals were not up to scratch.

To vote for Miss J text the number 03 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

Phakamane “Phaksy” Mngomezu (20) from Empangeni chose the ballad “Broken Strings”, by James Morrison (featuring Nelly Furtado). Gareth thought that Phaksi was very composed, despite the obvious tension of the evening, and that he did a very good job.
To vote for Phaksi, text the number 10 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

Cape Town’s Nolly Meje (24) from Cape Town chose a Pink song to impress the voters, “Perfect”. “I hate to sound cheesy, but that was less than ‘perfect’,” Gareth said sadly.
To vote for Nolly, text the number 09 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

Pietermaritzburg’s Idol, Erin Fourie (27), sang “All These Things That I’ve Done” by The Killers. “You had us from the first note to the end,” Unathi praised her.
To vote for Erin, text the number 13 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

Next up was Kahludi Malele (29) from Louis Trichardt with Bruno Mars’s The Lazy Song. Randall had a rare compliment for Kahludi, saying that he had made an impression on him, but warned that he would have to “step it up” next week.
To vote for Kahludi, text the number 02 to 37400 or vote on MXit.

Kimberley’s Crushanda Forbes (23) chose the old Heart hit, Alone. “The chorus of that song is huge,” Gareth noted, “and you did it without a fault.”
To vote for Crushanda, text the number 06 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

Twenty-two-year-old Freddie Van Dango from Johannesburg performed a Coldplay hit, The Scientist. “Sterkfontein mental hospital’s loss is our gain.” Gareth joked.
To vote for Freddie, text the number 04 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

Then it was the turn of one of the youngest Idols in the Top 15, 16-year-old Dené Vorster from Johannesburg, who chose Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance. Gareth was impressed that Dené had the guts to take on such a big song – “you can clearly do almost anything,” he marveled.
To vote for Dené, text the number 07 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

Kimberley’s second Idol, Lefa Pike (29) put his own spin on the Amy Winehouse classic Valerie. “Such a big song, such a big performance, but so sensual!” Unathi raved.
To vote for Lefa, text the number 05 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

Next up was Dave van Vuuren (20) from Johannesburg, singing “With Or Without You” by U2. That’s what Bono should sound like, Randall said simply.
To vote for Dave, text the number 11 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

The newest Idol added to the Top 15 tonight, 22-year-old Kerry Sanssoucie from Jozi, contributed the old No Doubt hit, Don’t Speak. “I’m glad that you’re here – I’m glad you were saved,” Gareth said.
To vote for Kerry, text the number 15 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

Mandla “Power” Simelane (26) auditioned in the first-ever Idols auditions in Soweto and tonight he performed the Justin Bieber hit, Somebody To Love. “It was a good performance, you got the crowd on your side… But you’re up against some very good singers and I think unfortunately the jump from the Theatre Stage to the live performances is going to be to big for you,” Randall worried.
To vote for Power, text the number 01 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

Kelly Fortuin (21) from Cape Town performed the Duffy hit, Mercy. “You’re a great performer and you’ve got something inside you that you want to communicate,” Randall praised.
To vote for Kelly, text the number 12 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

And then it was Mark Haze’s turn and 29-year-old Capetonian kept it old school with the Guns ‘n Roses classic, Sweet Child O’Mine. “You delivered that well but it didn’t have the bite I was looking for from you,” said a dismayed Gareth.
To vote for Mark, text the number 08 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

And finally, 16-year-old Chloe Geldenhuys from Cape Town brought up the rear with another Pink song, Raise Your Glass. “You’ve shown the most amount of growth throughout the competition,” Unathi complimented her.
To vote for Chloe, text the number 14 to 37400, or vote on MXit.

Voting lines opened at the start of tonight’s show and will remain open until 22:00 Monday night [25 July]. (SMS’s cost R1,60. VAS rates apply and no free SMS’s are allowed. 20 Moola per MXit vote.)

Idols season 7 is broadcast on M-Net and Mzansi Magic every Sunday and dedicated fans can catch 24/7 Idols coverage on Channel 199 with full coverage of every audition from across the country, as well as exclusive Theatre Week footage of the finalists.

Get all the lowdown on Idols Season 7 and vote for your Wooden Mic winner at the official Idols Facebook page at “Idols South Africa”, on Twitter @IdolsSA and on the official Idols season 7 website at www.mnet.co.za/idols