The South African Football Association (SAFA) has officially unveiled the return of the iconic 1996 Heritage Kit, reimagined as a premium knitted jersey to celebrate one of the most memorable eras in South African football history.
The release comes as Bafana Bafana prepare for another appearance on the global stage, reconnecting supporters with the team that captured the nation’s imagination during the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations triumph on home soil.
As the sole owner and custodian of the Bafana Bafana intellectual property, SAFA has authorised the production and retail of the Heritage Kit through its official licensing programme in partnership with premium leisurewear brand Old School.
The green-and-gold jersey has become one of the most recognisable symbols in South African sport.
More than just a football shirt, it represents a period when the country united behind a team that played with passion, confidence and joy. Three decades later, the jersey continues to evoke memories of a defining chapter in the nation’s sporting history.
According to SAFA, the 2026 Heritage Kit is not a replica of the original shirt but rather a premium reinterpretation of the classic design. The jersey has been carefully crafted to capture the spirit and aesthetic of the 1996 era while offering modern quality and comfort for today’s supporters.
The official SAFA-licensed collection includes contemporary versions of the original 1996 Away and Third jerseys and is available in sizes ranging from XS to 3XL. The jerseys are priced from R1,999 and went on sale from 4 June 2026 through official Bafana Bafana and SAFA channels, as well as Old School retail stores and online platforms.
SAFA Chief Executive Officer Lydia Monyepao said the revival of the Heritage Kit forms part of the association’s renewed licensing programme aimed at providing supporters with authentic Bafana Bafana merchandise at various price points.
“As Bafana head to the World Cup, we wanted to give supporters something that connects this moment to where it all started,” said Monyepao.
She also urged supporters to be vigilant when purchasing merchandise and to ensure products carry official SAFA licensing tags and branding.
“The 1996 Heritage Kit represents a chapter of South African football that means everything to this country. Bringing it back felt like the right way to honour that history and celebrate what lies ahead.”
Old School CEO Daneel Steinmann described the partnership as a special opportunity to celebrate South African football heritage.
“There is nothing in this country quite like a national football match. It does not matter where you are from or what language you speak โ when Bafana walk out in green and gold, we are one people,” said Steinmann.
“When you put on the iconic heritage jersey, you’re wearing something unmistakably South African.”
