The South African Football Association (SAFA) has officially established
a dedicated VAR Project Team to spearhead the implementation of the Video
Assistant Referee system, with a targeted launch in the 2026/27 season.
According to recent reports, the project is being led by former referee
Daniel Bennett, who will be supported by a team of respected officials
including Victor Gomes, Jerome Damon, and SAFA’s Head of Referees, Abdul
Ibrahim. The group is working in consultation with FIFA and IFAB to ensure
the system meets all international standards.
The rollout is scheduled for July/August 2026. To facilitate this, the
National Treasury has already approved an initial allocation exceeding R20
million for the current financial year. SAFA is required to submit a
detailed infrastructure and setup budget to the Department of Sport, Arts
and Culture by 31 March 2026.
Emphasizing strict financial oversight, the government has stated that the
Ministry will control all initial project funding until the system is fully
stable. Any VAR-related transaction will require authorization from at least
three independent signatories.
A significant step in the process is a technical trip to Spain, where
Bennett and senior officials will conduct stress tests on the selected VAR
model with service providers. Testing in live match environments is planned
for selected fixtures next year, with the goal of having a foolproof and
well-understood system by the 2026/27 kick-off.
As officials have emphasized, the project’s goal extends beyond correcting
calls. It is about “protecting the integrity of our game, restoring trust,
and ensuring South African football meets global standards.”
