Boland brothers prove model twins

Two hunky farmers from the tiny Western Cape town of Vredendal are creating a social media frenzy with their chiselled chests and buff abs.

Twin brothers Alex and Charlie Kotze, 23, spend their days ploughing the fields and tending their vineyard.

But their model good looks and rock-hard bodies have turned them into stars on social media and now the brothers - who have dubbed themselves K2 - will be striding down the runway at Cape Town Fashion Week later this month.

"We were reluctant to do it at first because people in Vredendal think modelling is only for girls," said the brothers.

They have also appeared on various TV magazine shows, sharing their expertise on fitness gleaned from little more than their daily workouts at the Vredendal gym (except on Sundays when it is closed).

''The farm is definitely where we want to end up in our old age. We are excited to see how far we can take the modelling, but jy kan die seun uit die plaas haal maar jy kan nie die plaas uit die seun haal nie (you can take the boy off the farm but you can't take the farm out of the boy)," said Charlie.

The twins have built up legions of fans and followers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, where they share photos of themselves, mostly shirtless, and offer tips on health and fitness.

"We want young people to catch a wake-up. If we can look this good and be this healthy without using supplements, then so can anyone else.

"You can have a 12-hour day and live anywhere in the world, even Vredendal, and you can still look good. That is our message."

The duo "reluctantly" decided to enter the modelling world after they were approached by an agent while on holiday in nearby Strandfontein last year.

"I first saw them two years ago, but they were not interested in being fitness models," said their agent and manager, Johan Stephan, this week.

"In December last year, I contacted them again and they said they would give it a try. I felt they had the perfect look for TV - I can see them as big personalities and life coaches one day. My vision for them does not end on the catwalk."

But the identical twins are trying not to let the hype go to their heads.

"We still enjoy ourselves the way we used to. We go out every weekend. We just take our water with us as we have given up all alcohol. We enjoy braais and hunting."

There has been a downside to their focus on looking good. "Since we stopped drinking, we started to see who our true friends are because not everyone was willing to support us."

Although the brothers have a close bond, which they say was formed while at Elsenburg agricultural college at Stellenbosch University, there is still some sibling rivalry.

"We don't say it out loud, but the one must not look better than the other. So we constantly keep pushing ourselves," said Alex.

Their modelling careers might seem set for takeoff, but the duo are determined to remain active on social media because they want their followers to find them accessible.

''Sometimes you are sitting on a tractor and you can't reply straightaway, but we try our best."

The twins will be modelling for Cape Town designer Ruald Rheeder during Cape Town Fashion Week.

"We are very interested in fashion. We like going to town to do shopping because when you look good, you feel good," said Alex.

''Charl and I get nervous very easily. But we are really excited for the opportunity at Fashion Week because it is international exposure.

"We have never done runway, but we look forward to the new challenge."