VAR in South African Football: SAFA Confirms Rollout After Controversial Matches

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VAR in South African Football: SAFA Confirms Rollout After Controversial Matches

South African football is edging closer to a technological revolution. Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has made the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) a priority, and his plan is now gathering momentum.

A delegation sent to Spain this past weekend returned impressed by the systems they observed, signalling that the long-awaited rollout is finally within reach.

Delegation to Spain

Former FIFA referee and newly appointed South African Football Association (SAFA) Project Leader for the VAR management team, Daniel Bennett, travelled to Madrid at the invitation of Quality Media Productions, one of the four companies shortlisted to provide VAR services.

The Spanish company offered a comprehensive and practical overview of its VAR models, showcasing its Video Operations Room (VOR) and remote facilities.

Bennett admitted he was impressed by what he saw, but stressed that cost remains the decisive factor.

“The system is really impressive, but now it’s just about how much it’s going to cost us to implement this. If there are funds available and we’ve decided on our budget, the good thing is that they can come in quickly to implement the operation.”

Tender Process and Funding

Bennett revealed to SABC Sport that SAFA has received 11 bids for the VAR tender. The management team will meet after his return from Spain to narrow the list down to four providers, including Hawkeye (UK), MediaPro (Portugal), Rigour (China), and Quality Media (Spain).

Minister McKenzie recently confirmed that Treasury has allocated R20 million for VAR in the current fiscal year, a sum expected to cover the initial implementation phase. While this is a significant step, Bennett cautioned that costs remain a challenge given the strength of foreign currencies against the rand.

“Cost is a major factor in the implementation of VAR. We are not the richest league or federation, we’ve got money, but VAR is very expensive, and we are paying in rands against a very strong dollar, pound, and Euro.”

Testing in the Nedbank Cup

The plan is to introduce VAR during this season’s Nedbank Cup semifinals and possibly the final, before a full rollout in the 2026 PSL season. Bennett explained that South Africa already has referees trained in VAR, including Abongile Tom, Ahona Makalima, Zakhele Siwela, and others, ensuring that the country is not starting from scratch.

Continental Context

Currently, only Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria offer complete VAR services on the African continent. The introduction of VAR in South Africa would make the Betway Premiership, already the biggest league in Sub-Saharan Africa, one of the most advanced competitions on the continent.

Long Overdue Modernisation

For years, South African football has been marred by controversial refereeing decisions in high-profile matches.

Soweto Derbies between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have often been overshadowed by disputed penalties and offside calls, while Mamelodi Sundowns’ title races have seen goals allowed despite clear replays showing infringements.

Knockout fixtures in the Nedbank Cup have also produced heated debates, with legitimate goals disallowed and fans demanding accountability.

The introduction of VAR promises to change that narrative. With ministerial backing, SAFA’s leadership, and international expertise guiding the process, South African football is finally taking decisive steps to ensure fairness and integrity on the pitch.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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