SAFA's VAR plans gather pace as Premiership waits

South African football supporters will have to wait a little longer before Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology becomes a regular feature of the Betway Premiership, as the South African Football Association (SAFA) continues working towards its implementation.

Although progress has been made in referee training and funding, several challenges must still be addressed before the technology can be introduced across the country's top-flight competition.

SAFA has identified the end of the 2026/27 season as a target for testing VAR in selected matches, with a gradual rollout preferred over immediate implementation across all competitions.

The move comes amid persistent debates about controversial refereeing decisions, including disputed penalty awards, offside calls and red-card incidents that can influence the outcome of important matches.

VAR is designed to assist referees in reviewing clear and obvious errors involving goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity.

REFEREE TRAINING UNDERWAY

Referee training remains a key component of SAFA's plans.

According to reports published in October, eight South African referees had received VAR training through the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA).

Three officials, Tom Abongile, Luxolo Badi and Akhona Makalima, were reported to have received approval to serve as referees, VARs and assistant VARs.

Further training and certification will be necessary to expand the pool of officials capable of operating the system.

The process includes theoretical instruction, simulator exercises and practical training to ensure that officials understand when and how to intervene.

R20 MILLION ALLOCATED

Funding is another important aspect of the project.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture allocated R20 million to SAFA in 2026 to help accelerate implementation.

However, reports in August indicated that the money remained untouched in a separate account while financial reviews, procurement procedures and governance requirements were being addressed.

Beyond purchasing equipment, SAFA must ensure that stadiums have suitable camera coverage, reliable connectivity and compatible broadcasting infrastructure.

The association will also need to coordinate with the National Soccer League, which administers professional football, and relevant broadcasters to establish the technical requirements for VAR operations.

PREMIERSHIP INTRODUCTION STILL UNCERTAIN

Despite the progress, no confirmed date has been announced for the full introduction of VAR across the Betway Premiership.

The proposed testing phase is expected to help SAFA assess the system and address technical shortcomings before considering wider implementation.

Although VAR cannot eliminate every refereeing controversy, it can help officials correct certain serious mistakes that might otherwise affect match results.

For now, supporters must remain patient as SAFA works towards meeting the necessary training, technical and approval requirements.

With testing targeted for the end of the 2026/27 season, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether South African football is finally ready to embrace the technology.