By Micah Jonah, March 4, 2026
Sportswear giants, Adidas have unveiled the new South Africa national team kits for the 2026 and 2027 season ahead of the FIFA World Cup and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The new jersey retains the country’s traditional yellow and green colours, a combination long associated with the pride of South African football.
South Africa secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico despite being docked three points during the qualifiers for fielding an ineligible player. The team finished ahead of Nigeria to book their ticket to the global showpiece.
Adidas officially became the kit supplier for the men’s team, South Africa national soccer team, popularly known as Bafana Bafana, and the women’s team, South Africa women’s national soccer team, also called Banyana Banyana, in late 2025. The German brand replaced French manufacturer Le Coq Sportif.
According to a statement released on Tuesday, the new design draws inspiration from the iconic 2010 jersey worn during the World Cup hosted by South Africa.
“Drawing inspiration from the unforgettable 2010 jersey, a symbol of pride during a defining moment for South African football, the new design honours that legacy while stepping confidently into a new era,” the statement read.
The manufacturers explained that the kit pays tribute to South Africa’s 12 official languages, reflecting the nation’s diversity and unity through subtle graphic elements woven into the fabric.
Senior Marketing Director for Adidas South Africa, Tom Brown, noted that the 2010 jersey featured 11 small lines in the collar to represent the country’s official languages at the time. He added that the new version has been reimagined to reflect the now 12 national languages.
South Africa’s women’s team will compete at WAFCON scheduled to hold in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, while the men’s side will represent the country at the World Cup in June and July across North America.
Football fans are already reacting positively to the design, with many describing it as a proud blend of history and modern identity as South Africa prepares for another major international outing.
