'Idols' has broken the mould again. In a first for the South African version of this popular talent search, the boys outnumber the girls by three to one in the last four. And it's the best performance to date from KZN's performers, who have clinched two places in the Top 4.

The last girl standing, Sasha-Lee, also made history when she became the fist Idol to win another reality show while competing in 'Idols'. On Tuesday Sasha was named the winner of 'Matrix', a reality show on MK, an M-Net channel.

Will she manage to rake in another title? Or will one of the three Idols boys take the honours? As always, it's up to the voters.

This is how the judges responded to this week's "unplugged" Idols Spectacular:

Twenty-nine year old Jason Hartman from Durban opened the show with the inspiring U2 hit, 'One'. Dave marvelled that tension normally builds at this stage of the competition, "but you just manage to get cooler," he complimented Jason. Jason's performance had Mara in tears but she collected herself sufficiently to comment that "there is something very special" about Jason. "You're not a plastic performer," she noted. Gareth was upset that he had broken his perfect record last week of correctly predicting who would be voted out, but this week he had a prediction for Jason: "You?re in the Final," he said confidently. Randall said consistency was one of the most important factors in 'Idols' and that Jason had not given a bad performance since the Top 12 phase. And that was why he agreed with Gareth.

When Jason returned later for his second song, he chose the Bryan Adams hit, '(Everything I do) I Do it For You'. A jubilant Mara led the audience in an overwhelming ovation. When Dave could finally make himself heard over the din, he noted wryly that Mara had "clearly enjoyed the cheese-fest". But he also added that Jason had displayed "total control" and that it was a "perfect performance". Mara quoted Quincy Jones: "What good is a song if it can't inspire," she noted. Gareth just laughed and explained that "they call that kind of song a pantydropper". Randall alluded to the song's South African connection (it was written by South African-born superproducer, Mutt Lange) and reiterated that we would see Jason in the Final, "and that's the song that's gonna get you there".

Sasha Lee Davids (18) from Atlantis in the Cape picked an 'American Idol' hit for her first performance — "8th World Wonder" by Kimberly Locke. In reference to Sasha's answer to the video insert question about comic book heroes, Dave said he knew which superhero she deserved to be: Wonder Woman. Mara said that Sasha was a "fantastic singer" but, singer-to-singer, she cautioned her about a few false notes and advised her to pace her voice on the high notes. Gareth had no such qualms. "That was perfect," he proclaimed. Randall noted with satisfaction that Sasha sings "a little more naturally every week".

Sasha's second song was One Republic's 'Apologise'. Dave said she sang it well and did everything right, "but it didn't add up to anything exciting". Mara seemed angered by this and said she really had nothing to say. Gareth assured Sasha that everybody in Atlantis — and in South Africa — could be very proud of her. Randall pronounced himself pleased with Sasha's ability to "inhabit" her songs.

Capetonian Graeme Watkins (26) hit the stage with 'Sex On Fire' by Kings of Leon. Dave said it was "a pleasure to hear that song done by someone who can actually sing". Mara thought it was a great song choice and a great performance. Gareth noted that a curious thing was happening with Graeme: "You were sliding downhill and now you?re slowly getting back again. That was awesome!" As often happens, Randall was the only voice of dissent. He thought Graeme had "missed the intention of the song completely".

For his second outing Graeme chose 'What?s Up' by 4 Non Blondes. "What's going on with that song," said Dave, "is that it gets your personality out. You?re a star, dude!" Mara said Graeme was the Comeback Kid. "At one stage you were almost gone," she noted, and now, "if I throw my bones well, you and Jason should be the Top 2". Gareth noted how likeable Graeme was, "everybody just wants to be your friend." And Randall pointed out that while Sasha-Lee could be described as a singer who also acts, Graeme was an actor who sings. "Sometimes it works for you and sometimes it doesn't," he said cryptically.

The fourth contestant was Lendel Moonsamy (23) from Durban, with the Bob Marley classic, 'Redemption Song'. Dave said it showed another side to Lendel and that he preferred this side. Mara thought it was a good song choice, but she pointed out that Marley was singing about "what's happening in the country today" and she didn't think Lendel knew what the song was really about. But Gareth said all the faith in Lendel that he had lost was back. "You should be very proud to be our first Top 4 Indian," he noted. Randall thought it was Lendel's finest performance since the Groups phase.

Lendel closed the show with 'Save Tonight' by Eagle-Eye Cherry. Dave thought it "started off a bit dodgy" but that it would be enough to keep Lendel in the competition. Mara proclaimed that Lendel was not still here "by mistake". Gareth preferred Lendel's first performance, but Randall thought he was consistent.

At this late stage of the competition, voting is more important then ever. Fans can vote in three ways:

• SMS the name of the contestant to 34680 (cost: R2 per SMS). Maximum of 100 votes allowed from one SMS number.
• Landline to Idols telephone number (Std VAS rates apply. Calls cost R2.02 p/m.). Maximum of 100 votes allowed from one landline number.
• Cell phone calls to Idols telephone number (Std VAS rates apply. Calls cost R2.02 p/m.). Maximum of 100 votes allowed by means of cell phone calls from one number.

• Sasha Lee Davids: 086 2277708 or SMS "Sasha Lee" to 34680
• Jason Hartman: 086 2277710 or SMS "Jason" to 34680
• Lendel Moonsamy: 086 2277712 or SMS "Lendel" to 34680
• Graeme Watkins: 086 2277713 or SMS "Graeme" to 34680

This season, the judges have absolutely no say in which contestants go through to the next round — the show's results are determined entirely by the South African voting public.