Has this former Bachelor SA heartthrob finally found someone new to give his rose to?
Back in 2020, Marc Buckner captured national attention as the leading man of The Bachelor South Africa season two. At the time, the 42-year-old model and fitness enthusiast dated multiple women in true Bachelor fashion before ultimately choosing speech therapist Marisia van Wyk. While their romance lasted on and off for about two years, the pair eventually called it quits.
Though his love story on reality TV didn’t last, Buckner’s time in the spotlight launched him into social media stardom. Today, he boasts over two million Instagram followers, eager to keep up with his fitness routines, lifestyle content, and of course, glimpses into his personal life.
But lately, fans have noticed Buckner spending more and more time with one particular person 25-year-old German model and influencer, Timo Hagen. The duo frequently appear in each other’s posts, often sharing gym selfies, playful outfit-swapping videos, and even lounging in bath towels side by side. Naturally, this sparked one question: are they more than friends?
Bromance or Romance?
Speculation around the two intensified when followers began commenting things like “boyfriends?” and “is this a soft launch?” under their collaborative posts. Neither seemed in a hurry to correct the rumors, and their captions—often cryptic and motivational—only fueled the intrigue.
In one notable post, the pair addressed their age difference, writing that “age is just a number” and that what really matters is surrounding yourself with people who share your values and encourage growth. While this could apply to friendship, the fact that they posted it while wrapped in towels made fans read between the lines.
Still, neither Buckner nor Hagen confirmed anything until now.
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Setting the Record Straight
The two recently appeared on the wellness podcast Wickedly Well with host Natasha Viljoen, where they discussed fitness, social media, and how they keep each other motivated. When asked about how they met, Buckner joked that Hagen “tried to pick him up at the gym,” before Hagen clarified he first discovered Buckner on Instagram and later approached him in person.
Their story sounded strikingly similar to modern dating tales, leaving listeners wondering if the rumors were true.
Finally, about 21 minutes into the podcast, Buckner addressed the speculation head-on:
“To make it simple: we’re not a gay couple,” he said. “We’re just friends that have—as [Hagen] said—similar values. I enjoy training, he enjoys training, we’re both healthy, driven humans that motivate each other.”
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What Does This Really Mean?
Buckner’s statement might appear straightforward, but fans aren’t entirely convinced. After all, saying “we’re not a gay couple” doesn’t necessarily reveal anything about their sexualities or relationship dynamics it only denies one label.
Still, whether they’re partners, best friends, or simply gym buddies, one thing is clear: their bond is strong, and their collaboration continues to delight fans. From their playful videos to their fitness content, Buckner and Hagen have carved out a social media partnership that thrives on chemistry, humor, and motivation.
The Verdict
While Marc Buckner and Timo Hagen insist they’re “just friends,” the duo’s close connection has sparked conversations about masculinity, male friendships, and the way influencers share their personal lives online.
Romantic or not, their bromance is thriving, and audiences aren’t complaining. As long as they keep swapping outfits and posting gym clips, fans will be tuning in for more. One thing’s certain: we’ll all be watching their next Instagram post very closely.
