Officiating Standards: VAR Can Reduce Errors in South African Soccer, but Professional Referees Are the Real Fix

South African soccer’s new top-flight season has barely begun, yet refereeing decisions have already become a central concern. One of the most controversial incidents came during Orlando Pirates’ 1-1 draw with AmaZulu on Aug. 12, when Pirates midfielder Sihle Nduli suffered a serious ankle injury.

Nduli, 30, had returned for his first competitive match since November 2025 after recovering from another severe injury. AmaZulu striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya caught him with a reckless tackle, tearing the midfielder’s ankle ligaments. Nduli could now miss up to four months.

The incident was not described as deliberate. Soccer is a contact sport, and players do not enter matches intending to injure opponents. But referee Luxolo Badi should have shown Ngwenya a red card, the article argues. Neither Badi nor his assistants fully recognized the seriousness of the challenge.

That episode is presented as one example of a wider pattern. Goals have reportedly been ruled out for incorrect offsides or handballs, while players have escaped punishment for dangerous tackles. Video assistant refereeing could help correct such glaring mistakes, and Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie strongly believes VAR will solve the country’s officiating problems.

But the article says technology cannot address the deeper weakness: despite the Premiership’s status as one of Africa’s strongest domestic leagues, its referees remain semi-professional. During a parliamentary debate involving the South African Football Association and the Department of Sports, Art and Culture, Democratic Alliance lawmaker Leah Potgieter questioned whether referees could improve without better training. She also asked why McKenzie’s department had paid Safa R20 million for VAR before completing due diligence. McKenzie had earlier referred to R30 million, but his department later clarified the amount was R20 million.