AS PRESSURE mounts at the So you Think You Can Dance rehearsals the top eight dancers in the competition are preparing tirelessly to impress the judges tomorrow.

Two contestants will this week be voted out of the contest.

The eight remaining hopefuls are all crossing their fingers that they will inch closer to winning the R250 000 prize.

Sne Mbatha, one of the most popular contestants on the show, has big dreams that could be fulfilled if she won the competition.

"Should I win this competition I plan to rebuild my grandparents' home and make it user-friendly. They are in their 80s and cannot get around the house without help. They are on crunches and need something to hold on to, like a rail or something. My dream is to re-build their home for them to be able to move around easily," said Mbatha.

Now only three live shows and some tough competition lie between the top eight and the title. The winner will be announced on October 16.

Mbatha spoke to Sowetan yesterday during the intense rehearsals preparing for the live show tomorrow. "I have never danced so much in my life; we have been dancing nonstop. The competition is getting tougher.

"I promise not to disappoint my fans around the country who have been voting for me all the way to stay in the competition.

Mbatha's inspiration for dance comes from Kwasanti, a small semi-rural area outside Durban, where she grew up dancing with friends for fun.

Another very popular contestant, Xolani Mthalane, said he would use his winnings to open a dance school that would take kids off the streets.

"I think dance is a very powerful tool to fight crime and is very popular among youth. I believe talented youth if give exposure can change the world," he said.

Xolani Mthabela, Lulu Mlangeni, Dareen, Hammond, Ashley Beyers, Boipelo Maphafo, Carl Davis, Shelley Christians are also still in contention.