Minister of Arts, Culture and Sports Gayton McKenzie
South African football is gearing up for a technological transformation as Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie confirms the long-anticipated arrival of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.
In a bold step towards modernizing officiating in the country, McKenzie announced that the wheels are already in motion to implement VAR, with funding secured and referee training underway.
This milestone move will bring local football in line with FIFA standards, and McKenzie assured fans that progress is being made at pace.
After fruitful engagements with the South African Football Association (SAFA), the Minister revealed that a public call for service providers to roll out the system will be issued within a week.
“I promised VAR would be in South African football by April 2025, and I’m keeping that promise,” said McKenzie.
“Thanks to the cooperation from SAFA and the PSL, we’re well on track. The support has been amazing, and everything is moving in the right direction.”
The introduction of VAR is not just a technological upgrade—it signals a shift in how the game will be officiated in South Africa, aiming to reduce errors and improve fairness on the pitch.
With momentum building and critical structures being put in place, the countdown to South Africa’s VAR era has officially begun.
