SAFA and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture have updated the public on VAR in South African football. The message: VAR is going ahead, but a full rollout in the leagues is not imminent. Referee training and a controlled trial phase come first, and a FIFA meeting on 15 October 2026 is the next step.
The press conference
A SAFA delegation led by President Dr Danny Jordaan met Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie in Pretoria on Wednesday, 14 October, and then held a joint press conference at Freedom Park. Deputy Minister Peace Mabe, SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao, SAFA CFO Gronie Hluyo, NEC members Linda Zwane and Job Mchunu, and DSAC Director-General Dr Cynthia Khumalo also attended.
McKenzie said VAR “is going to happen” and that dates exist, adding that the next engagement with FIFA is about moving forward, not shaking hands. Jordaan linked VAR to player safety and to African football’s wider push to perform better at the World Cup, saying a 360-degree view of matches would help protect players and modernise the game.
What SAFA says the project is
Monyepao said SAFA started the VAR Project in 2024 as a referee-development, football-modernisation and compliance initiative, not just an equipment purchase. The aim is to train South African officials so they stay competitive for CAF and FIFA appointments. SAFA first planned to self-fund the programme with COSAFA, CAF and FIFA. The Department’s R20 million allocation accelerated it and removed the main funding obstacle.
Expected domestic beneficiaries include the men’s Betway Premiership, the women’s Hollywoodbets Super League, the ABC Motsepe League and the SAFA Women’s Provincial League play-offs.
Why it is taking longer than expected
A VAR Task Team reported in September 2026 on practical challenges. It said progress needs a joint implementation strategy between SAFA and the NSL, and that supplier engagement, technical demonstrations and evaluations need more time. It also flagged unresolved alignment with the NSL and broadcasters, and advised against major procurement commitments until those issues are settled.
Implementation requires FIFA approval, referee certification, competition integration, broadcaster compatibility, infrastructure readiness, procurement compliance, sustainability planning and long-term funding. An internal readiness assessment identified risks around broadcast compatibility, connectivity for remote VAR operations, camera coverage, referee communication systems, asset replacement and ongoing maintenance costs.
Referee training first
SAFA says its immediate focus is training, which is expected to take about six months and cover theory, simulator and field work for referees, VARs and AVARs. Eight referees have already been trained through COSAFA, and three are fully approved as Referee, VAR and AVAR: Tom Abongile, Luxolo Badi and Akhona Makhalima. SAFA meets FIFA on 15 October 2026 for approval to start wider training.
The roadmap
- Immediate priorities: engage FIFA and COSAFA, strengthen the VAR Project Team with finance, technical, PSL and broadcaster representation, finalise talks with the PSL, engage SuperSport/Canal+ and the SABC, confirm technical requirements, run supplier demonstrations and advance referee training.
- Trial phase: the next milestone is a controlled trial, not full implementation. Possible venues include SAFA competitions such as the Hollywoodbets Super League, play-offs such as the ABC Motsepe Playoffs, cup competitions such as the Nedbank Cup, or international friendlies, all subject to FIFA requirements.
- Long-term rollout: dependent on FIFA approval, completed training, procurement compliance, stakeholder alignment, technical and competition readiness, and sustainability.
Key commitments
SAFA says it remains committed to VAR, that public funds will only be used once due diligence is complete and the Department approves, and that it will report publicly and regularly.
