Johannesburg – Standard Bank, Africa’s largest bank by assets, has partnered with the South African Football Association (SAFA) in a four-year deal through 2030, supporting Bafana Bafana, Banyana Banyana, and all junior squads starting in 2026.
The agreement announced on Monday, 2 March 2026, funds training, development, and competitiveness ahead of Bafana’s FIFA World Cup debut and AFCON 2025.
SAFA President Dr. Danny Jordaan hailed it as the investment South African football needs, while Standard Bank CEO David Hodnett said it inspires national pride.
Coaches Hugo Broos and Desiree Ellis joined the celebration, boosting momentum for the teams.
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for South Africa, with Bafana Bafana set to compete on the grandest global stages at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Banyana Banyana preparing to contest the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
“This partnership reflects the kind of investment that South African football needs,” said Dr. Jordaan.
“Standard Bank’s support will strengthen the competitiveness of our national teams and development structures as they represent our country on the continental and world stage.”
Hodnett said: “For Standard Bank, the sponsorship is a natural extension of our commitment to South Africa.
“Football remains the most widely followed sport in South Africa, playing a unique role in uniting communities and inspiring national pride aligned to our purpose, ‘Africa is our home, we drive her growth’.”
Standard Bank’s partnership with SAFA builds on decades of supporting sport initiatives, from junior ranks through to national levels.
“Through this partnership, the bank is investing in the aspirations of a nation and its people, and that aligns squarely with our purpose of driving Africa’s growth,” said Hodnett.
“The people who fill those stadiums and paint the cities green and gold are our clients, and they come from the communities we serve every day.”
South African national teams continue to deliver inspired performances on the field.
Bafana Bafana finished with a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Banyana Banyana are the 2022 Women’s African champions and showed a competitive spirit at the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup.
