VAR rollout delayed again as Safa targets Nedbank Cup

South Africa’s implementation of video assistant referee (VAR) technology has been delayed once more, with the South African Football Association (Safa) now aiming to introduce it during the latter stages of the Nedbank Cup or the Premier Soccer League promotion-relegation playoffs.

Safa had initially planned to launch VAR at the beginning of the 2026-27 domestic season after receiving R20m from the department of sport, arts and culture in April. That deadline has passed, however, after the project team identified practical and organisational obstacles.

The final stages of the Nedbank Cup usually begin in February, giving Safa time to address the outstanding issues before then.

“The VAR task team, after performing some research, discovered several practical challenges affecting implementation of VAR,” Safa chief executive Lydia Monyepao said at a joint implementation update with sports minister Gayton McKenzie at Freedom Park in Pretoria on Wednesday.

“The project team also advised on a meaningful process alignment and agreement between Safa and the National Soccer League [NSL, the holding company for the PSL] regarding a joint implementation strategy.”

McKenzie said responsibility for the project now rested with Safa and that he had no further role in its delivery.

“I gave money to the CEO and I am now waiting for VAR,” he said. “There is not a single thing I can do more.

“People are blaming me, but you are blaming the guy who brought VAR and put it on the table. It must be called ‘McKenzie’ when it comes because I have fought hard for it.”

McKenzie said he had requested the return of the funds when Safa did not provide an update, but had since checked bank statements supplied by Monyepao and confirmed the money remained available.

“The money is there but there is nothing I can do more as a minister,” he added. “I am handing over to the people who have the money and expertise.

“There is nothing [more] you can ask me about VAR. I put it on the table and I raised money for it because our football needs it.”

Monyepao said the project required agreement between all relevant stakeholders before major procurement commitments could be made. This includes service-provider discussions, technical demonstrations, evaluation procedures, confirmation of readiness from the NSL and broadcasters, and sufficient time to complete the work properly.

She said the implementation involved more than buying equipment and required Fifa approval, referee certification and training, competition integration, broadcaster compatibility, infrastructure readiness, procurement compliance, sustainability planning and long-term operational funding.

McKenzie confirmed the PSL had taken part in discussions, saying he had met PSL chair Dr Irvin Khoza and that the league had delegated a representative to attend meetings.

“This is not a one-off cost, referees must be paid and as a minister I have put up my hand and said we will assist because we understand the importance of VAR in our game,” he said.