South Africa VAR trials could begin in 2027 after SAFA update

The South African Football Association (SAFA) says Video Assistant Referee (VAR) trials could take place in selected competitions, including the Hollywoodbets Super League, the ABC Motsepe League playoffs and potentially the Nedbank Cup in 2027.

The update follows a dispute between SAFA and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, who criticised the delay to the project in August despite securing R30 million in funding. He had threatened to withdraw the money.

SAFA said on Wednesday that it had submitted a report explaining the delay to McKenzie and his team, and that the minister had accepted the explanation. The project will now move forward.

However, SAFA chief executive Lydia Monyepao warned that several stages must still be completed before VAR can be introduced across South African football.

“The training and certification process of referees is expected to take approximately four to six months, and will involve theoretical, simulator-based, and field-based practical training for referees, video assistant referees, and assistant video assistant referees,” she said at a media briefing.

SAFA has eight referees who have completed VAR training through Cosafa. Three officials – Abongile Tom, Luxolo Badi and Akhona Makalima – have been fully approved as referee VAR and AVAR officials.

The association has also begun discussions with Cosafa about further training programmes, with the intention of increasing the number of South African officials available for the eventual introduction of VAR in domestic leagues.

SAFA is scheduled to meet FIFA on 15 October 2026 to seek approval to begin training its referees. Its immediate priority is referee education while the task team completes outstanding technical procurement and stakeholder engagement work, and a strengthened VAR project team is established.

The roadmap includes further discussions with FIFA from tomorrow onwards, additional engagement with Cosafa over referee training, and expanding the VAR project team to include representatives from finance, technical departments, the PSL and broadcasters.

The team must also finalise discussions with the PSL, engage broadcasters including Super Sport, Canal Plus and the SABC, confirm technical compatibility requirements, hold supplier demonstrations and advance referee training programmes.

Controlled trials planned

Monyepao said the next stage would not be an immediate full rollout, but a controlled trial phase.

“Our next milestone is not immediate full implementation of VAR, but rather a controlled trial phase,” she said.

Trials could be held in SAFA competitions such as the Hollywoodbets Super League, playoff tournaments including the ABC Motsepe playoffs, and suitable cup competitions such as the Nedbank Cup, subject to permission from the PSL.

Other football environments approved by FIFA, including international friendly matches, could also be used. The aim is to prepare South African players – both men and women – for VAR ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

“This approach will allow proof of concept validation before wider deployment,” Monyepao added.

Any wider rollout will depend on FIFA approval, successful completion of training, procurement compliance, stakeholder agreement, technical and competition readiness, and sustainability requirements.

“Our key messages are that one Safa remains fully committed to introducing VRR in South African football,” she said.