VAR expected to be implemented in South Africa in "four to six months", say SAFA

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie raised R30 million to fund the project and had expected a swift roll-out.

He even reportedly threatened to withdraw the funds in August after slamming SAFA for taking so long to introduce the tool to the South African game.

McKenzie is now said to be in support of SAFA's updated plan that was revealed on Wednesday.

"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," said Monyepao as reported by iDiski Times.

"SAFA already has eight referees successfully trained through Cosafa on VAR, with three referees fully approved as referee VAR and AVAR, namely Abongile Tom, Luxolo Badi, and Akhona Makalima.

"SAFA has already engaged COSAFA regarding referee training programs and intends to expand this pool of trained South African officials to support eventual implementation in our leagues.

"SAFA is scheduled to meet with FIFA on 15 October 2026 for approval to kickstart the training of our referees, Safa’s position is therefore to prioritize referee training while outstanding technical procurement and stakeholder engagement matters are finalized by the task team, and a strengthened VAR project team is put in place.

"The current roadmap includes further engagement with FIFA, as indicated, from tomorrow onwards; further engagements with COSAFA on the training of referees, strengthening the VAR project team with representation from finance, technical, the PSL, and broadcasters; finalizing engagement by the VAR project team with the the PSL; engagement with the VAR project team, with broadcasters including Super Sport, Canal Plus, and the SABC; confirming technical compatibility requirements; conducting supplier demonstrations; and advancing referee training programs.

"Our next milestone is not immediate full implementation of VAR, but rather a controlled trial phase.

"Trials will be undertaken in SAFA competitions such as the HSL (HollywoodBets Super League), playoff tournaments such as the ABC Motsepe playoffs, appropriate cup competitions with permission from the PSL such as the Nedbank Cup, other suitable football environments approved under FIFA, such as international friendly matches, so that our boys and girls can also get used to VAR in preparation of the FIFA World Cup.

"This approach will allow proof of concept validation before wider deployment. Long-term rollout: Any broader rollout will be dependent on FIFA approval, successful completion of training, procurement compliance, stakeholder alignment, technical readiness, competition readiness, and sustainability requirements.

"Our key messages are that one Safa remains fully committed to introducing VRR in South African football."