Whitehall sources have confirmed that British diplomats are demanding explanations from Pretoria as the South African government’s handling of visa applications for the 2023 Rugby World Cup descends into chaos. The term “foolish” was used repeatedly by a senior Foreign Office official who spoke on condition of anonymity, describing the situation as “an unforced error that risks damaging the event’s reputation and bilateral relations.”
Documents obtained by this newspaper reveal that the British High Commission in Pretoria has been inundated with complaints from UK citizens, team officials, and corporate sponsors who have faced weeks of delays and contradictory instructions from South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs. At least 200 visa applications remain unprocessed, according to internal figures, with some applicants reporting that their passports were returned without any decision after the scheduled departure date.
The chaos comes just weeks before the tournament kicks off in September, raising fears that fans and key personnel could be stranded. One source described the situation as “a logistical train wreck” and pointed fingers at South Africa’s notoriously slow visa system, which has long been a source of friction between London and Pretoria.
“They had years to get this right,” the official fumed. “Instead, they have created a bureaucratic mess that makes the UK’s own visa system look efficient. It is frankly embarrassing for a country that wants to project itself as a serious destination for international events.”
The British government has not yet issued a formal protest, but the Foreign Office confirmed that it has raised the matter “at the highest levels” with the South African High Commission in London. A spokesperson said: “We are aware of the concerns raised by British nationals and are working with South African authorities to resolve these issues as a matter of urgency. We urge anyone experiencing difficulties to contact our consular staff.”
But behind the diplomatic language, there is real anger. The memo I have seen, dated 14 August, warns that the delays “could seriously undermine the UK’s confidence in South Africa as a partner for major events.” It notes that the World Cup involves millions of pounds in sponsorship and broadcasting rights, and that any disruption would have a knock-on effect on the UK’s own tourism industry.
The South African government has so far shrugged off the criticism. In a statement, a spokesperson for Home Affairs said the department was “working around the clock to process all applications” and blamed the delays on “unforeseeable technical issues” with a new digital system. But tech experts consulted by this newspaper cast doubt on that explanation, pointing out that similar problems have plagued South African visas for years.
This is, in many ways, a tale of two systems. While the UK has digitised its visa process and reduced processing times for most applications, South Africa still relies on paper forms and manual checks. The result is a system that is opaque, slow, and prone to failure under pressure. And when it fails, it is ordinary people who pay the price: families who have saved for months to attend the rugby, small businesses that have invested in hospitality, and players who just want to do their jobs.
The question now is whether Pretoria will listen to its critics or continue to dig in. The World Cup is a massive opportunity for South Africa to showcase itself to the world. But if this visa chaos continues, the only thing on display will be incompetence.
