SAFA VAR Update: Three South Africa Referees Approved As Football Technology Rollout Moves Forward

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has given a fresh update on VAR, and this time there is something concrete for fans to hold on to.

According to SAFA, South Africa now has three referees fully approved as Referee, VAR and AVAR. That means they are certified to work both on the pitch and inside the VAR control room.

The three names are Abongile Tom, Luxolo Badi and Akhona Makalima, confirmed by SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao at a briefing on October 15 at Freedom Park in Pretoria, and reported by https://www.goal.com and https://www.idiskitimes.co.za.

SAFA also said eight South African referees in total have already received VAR training through COSAFA, the regional body for Southern Africa. The three fully approved officials are part of that group. The others are still completing their certification.

What is VAR in simple terms?

VAR means Video Assistant Referee. It is not a robot that takes over the game. It is an extra team of referees who watch the match on TV screens in a control room. If the on-field referee misses a big decision — like a goal that was offside, a penalty that should have been given, a direct red card, or punishing the wrong player — the VAR team can tell him to check the video replay on a monitor beside the pitch.

Why does this SAFA VAR update matter for local football?

For years, PSL fans have complained about controversial refereeing. Goals ruled offside incorrectly, penalties not given in Chiefs vs Pirates derbies, or red cards missed. Without VAR, the referee's mistake stands.

With SAFA pushing for VAR, it means South African football is trying to catch up with what is used in AFCON, the World Cup, and the Premier League in England. It also matters for referees themselves. Monyepao said SAFA started the VAR project in 2024 not just to buy equipment, but to develop referees so that South Africa referees remain competitive for CAF and FIFA appointments.

If South African referees are not VAR-certified, they cannot be selected for major continental or global tournaments where VAR is mandatory.

What still needs to happen next?

SAFA says training alone is not enough. The full rollout of this football technology needs several steps:

1. FIFA approval: SAFA met FIFA on October 15 to get permission to train more referees. The training is expected to take four to six months, with theory, simulator exercises, and practical field training.
2. Stakeholder alignment: SAFA must agree with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and broadcasters like SuperSport, Canal+ and SABC on cameras, connectivity, and technical requirements. VAR needs many camera angles and fast internet to the VAR room.
3. Trials first: Instead of jumping straight to the Betway Premiership, SAFA wants to test VAR in smaller competitions first — like the Hollywoodbets Super League, ABC Motsepe League playoffs, or potentially the Nedbank Cup semifinals in February 2027.

The R20 million allocated by Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie for the project remains untouched in a separate account, SAFA confirmed.

So VAR is coming, but slowly. The fact that South Africa now has three fully approved South Africa referees is the first real step.