SAFA and Bundesliga launch first African edition of Bundesliga Dream in South Africa

The South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Bundesliga have launched Bundesliga Dream South Africa, a development programme aimed at advancing the country’s leading young footballers.

The initiative concluded on Monday, 19 October, after the national Under-16 team took part in high-performance training camps hosted by two German clubs. The programme gave South Africa’s best emerging players access to elite academy facilities as they prepare for the upcoming FIFA Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan.

The first week was held at FC Augsburg, where the players trained in a professional environment and gained insight into life at a Bundesliga club. The squad also took part in personal sessions with Augsburg professional players Chrislain Matsima and Juma Bah, along with academy player Milo Adleff, who is close to earning a place in the Bundesliga squad.

The team then travelled to Arminia Bielefeld for the second week of the programme. The club has a strong connection with South African football, with Delron Buckley, Sibusiso Zuma and Rowen Fernandez having made important steps in their international careers there.

Buckley, who remains committed to developing talent in South Africa and works as a Bundesliga pundit for broadcaster SABC, accompanied the squad in Bielefeld. He shared his experience of pursuing a career in professional football, while the players also attended Bielefeld’s local derby against VfL Osnabruck from pitchside.

The trip included a programme of training and friendly matches, as well as opportunities for the youngsters to experience the culture and atmosphere surrounding German football.

“This initiative represents a significant step forward in our commitment to youth development,” said Molefi Ntseki, Technical Director of SAFA.

“By partnering with one of the world’s leading football leagues, we are creating meaningful international pathways for our players to grow, compete, and succeed on a global stage.”

Bundesliga Dream South Africa is the first edition of the project to be staged in Africa. Previous programmes have been established in countries across Asia.

“Bringing Bundesliga Dream to Africa for the first time is an important step in our long-term partnership with South African football,” said Peer Naubert, Chief Commercial Officer of Bundesliga Media.

“Together with SAFA and our clubs, we want to give young players valuable international experience, while building closer connections between football in South Africa and Germany. This programme is a tangible example of how we are developing our presence in Africa – through football development, local partnerships and stronger engagement with fans.”

SABC Sport was appointed the official media partner of Bundesliga Dream South Africa, providing broadcast and digital coverage of the players’ time in Germany and sharing the programme’s impact with supporters across South Africa.

The initiative forms part of the Bundesliga’s wider work on the continent. Earlier this year, Bundesliga Media extended its partnership with Amandla Safehub to deliver a Youth Football Night League Series in Johannesburg, combining football in a safe environment with educational programmes.

Club visits have also strengthened the Bundesliga’s links with South Africa, with RB Leipzig visiting the country in 2026 after FC Augsburg travelled there in 2024.

The Bundesliga was also the first European league to launch a League Pass in Africa, allowing millions of fans in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria to watch live matches on mobile devices.