Fifteen years after the sound of vuvuzelas echoed through packed stadiums and the world turned its gaze to the Rainbow Nation, adidas is heading back to South Africa. The Three Stripes are set to once again adorn the kits of Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana, as adidas returns as the official technical partner to the South African Football Association (SAFA) from 2026.
The new three-year deal between SAFA and adidas sees the Three Stripes take over from Le Coq Sportif, marking the end of a five-year era and the start of a new chapter — one that comes at the perfect moment. Fresh off Bafana Bafana’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, their first in 16 years, South African football finds itself riding a wave of belief, unity and renewed global recognition.
For adidas, it’s a return steeped in nostalgia and national pride. The partnership reignites a connection that runs deep — one that captured the imagination of fans during the 2010 World Cup, when adidas kitted out the hosts in some of the most iconic designs in modern football. That same energy now returns, reimagined for a new generation of players and supporters.
“This partnership is more than a sponsorship — it’s a return to shared values of pride, resilience, and performance,” said SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao. “adidas has long been part of our football story, and together we’ll inspire South Africans everywhere to believe that they’ve got what it takes.”
Sam Handy, VP of Product and Design at adidas Football, echoed the sentiment: “Football has the power to change lives whilst uniting and inspiring. adidas has a proud and rich football heritage, pioneering products for the best teams and athletes around the world. We’re proud to again stand alongside Bafana Bafana, Banyana Banyana and other SAFA teams as they represent the spirit of South Africa on the international stage.”
The partnership goes beyond the pitch. From 24 March 2026, fans can expect the full adidas treatment — match wear, training and travel ranges, pre-match apparel and a full fan collection, all carrying the unmistakable Three Stripes.
And with that return comes a flood of memories. For many, adidas’ first era with South Africa is synonymous with some of the nation’s most iconic looks — particularly the 2009 away shirt from the Confederations Cup, a cult classic that still holds legendary status among kit collectors. The thought of adidas revisiting that legacy, perhaps drawing on the Teamgeist aesthetics of 2006, will set pulses racing for fans of football design. One look at what adidas have done with Jamaica since taking the reigns should be enough to get fans excited.
Roll on March 2026...
