By PRETORIA — The long-awaited arrival of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in South African football is gathering formidable momentum, but officials have made it clear that getting it right matters far more than rushing to kick off.
In a high-level joint press conference held at the Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum on Wednesday, delegates from the South African Football Association (SAFA), led by President Dr Danny Jordaan, stood alongside Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie to outline a definitive path forward for the technology.
While public anticipation has spiked—buoyed significantly by a crucial government injection of R20 million that removed the primary financial obstacle—authorities stressed that VAR deployment is a complex, multi-layered modernization project rather than a quick equipment-procurement fix.
Minister McKenzie struck an optimistic yet resolute tone regarding the timeline. “VAR is not an easy thing, but I will say this to you, VAR is going to happen, and VAR is busy happening,” McKenzie declared, noting that direct talks with FIFA are set to accelerate the process.
Beyond the Screen: Player Safety and Modernization
Dr Jordaan emphasized that implementing VAR is fundamentally tied to protecting players on the pitch and elevating the competitiveness of African football globally. “A lot of injuries occur when the players think that the referee is not looking,” Jordaan noted, adding that a comprehensive 360-degree view of matches will help modernise the local game.
Initially initiated by SAFA in 2024 as a referee-development and compliance program, the project aims to benefit major domestic competitions. These include the men’s Betway Premiership, the women’s Hollywoodbets Super League, and national pathways like the ABC Motsepe League and SAFA Women’s Provincial League play-offs.
However, a September 2026 report by the VAR Task Team underscored that a responsible rollout requires overcoming several practical hurdles. Navigating broadcast compatibility, connectivity reliability, strict FIFA approvals, and crucial stakeholder alignment—particularly with the National Soccer League (NSL) and broadcasters—has taken longer than initially anticipated.
Referees First: The Immediate Roadmap
Rather than forcing an immediate, full-scale deployment, SAFA’s revised strategy prioritizes intensive official development. The training and certification process spans approximately six months, incorporating theoretical, simulator-based, and field training for referees and VAR personnel.
South Africa already boasts eight referees trained through COSAFA, with three fully approved as Referee, VAR, and AVAR officials: Tom Abongile, Luxolo Badi, and Akhona Makhalima. SAFA’s immediate focus turns to expanding this pool, with formal engagements with FIFA scheduled to kick off training programs.
Following training, the project’s next major milestone will be a controlled trial phase rather than an overnight full-scale launch. These trials are planned for domestic cup competitions, play-off tournaments, or approved international friendly matches to ensure rigorous proof-of-concept validation.
With government oversight ensuring that public funds are meticulously managed alongside technical and stakeholder readiness, South African football is methodically laying the groundwork to ensure VAR is built to last.
