Standard Bank sponsorship brings huge relief to SAFA, national teams

South Africa's leading banking institution in terms of assets today announced a four-year sponsorship deal covering all national teams from 2026 until 2030. 

Previously, Monyepao had shared how it’s been difficult to fund their junior national teams, who had no sponsors, but today’s announcement comes as a game changer. 

"I think for us it's such a relief to have Standard Bank coming on board and, unlike previous sponsors that looked to focus strictly on Banyana or Bafana, they want the whole stable," said Monyepao.

"And for us that's really critical because it means now we can prepare our junior national teams for continental and global tournaments.

"And the performances you've seen with our junior national teams, it means it will get even better because of the backing, it means we can do more with more resources on board."

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The agreement marks the first time in several years that Bafana Bafana will have a premier sponsor following the end of ABSA’s partnership and the scaling down of Castle Lager’s involvement.  

Bafana Bafana’s results under head coach Hugo Broos in the last four-and-a-half years have been critical to this deal, according to Monyepao. 

"I think we all know, everyone wants to be associated with a winning team and Bafana Bafana has been that team that has struggled over the years, especially since 2010," she added.

"But now, since Coach Hugo came on board they have really shown significant improvement, with the achievements of the bronze medal at the AFCON and also the FIFA World Cup qualification against all odds.

"It means we are returning to the global showpiece and it's about national pride – South Africans are going to be really excited when Bafana steps on the field on 11 June, it's exciting.

"It's also about bragging rights, we as South Africans will be represented in Mexico, Canada and the US come June 2026."