How to Watch UKTV Play in South Africa [Updated Dec 2024]

Are you an expat missing your favorite British TV shows? Or perhaps you’re just a huge fan of British comedy, drama, and reality TV?

Well, worry no more because UKTV Play is here to bring a slice of British entertainment right to your screens, even if you’re in South Africa!

It’s the ultimate FREE streaming service that offers a fantastic selection of shows, from hilarious sitcoms like The Office and Fawlty Towers to gripping crime dramas like Sherlock and Broadchurch.

But wait, you might be wondering, “How can I watch UKTV Play in South Africa?” Well, fear not!

By using a VPN, you can magically appear to be in the UK, unlocking all the British TV goodness that UKTV Play has to offer.

But, which VPN to opt for?

Per my tests, I highly recommend using ExpressVPN, which costs $6.67/month (49% discount)– 1 year + 3 months free and offers various servers in the UK, fast speeds, 8 simultaneous connections, an exclusive MediaStreamer feature, and much more!

5 Quick Steps to Watch UKTV Play in South Africa

Follow the steps below to watch UKTV Play in South Africa:

1. Subscribe to a VPN. I highly recommend ExpressVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN app on your device.
3. Launch its app and log in.
4. Connect to a UK server from the list.
5. Visit UKTV Play website and enjoy streaming it in South Africa!

Get UKTV Play in South Africa with ExpressVPN

Why VPN Is Needed to Watch UKTV Play in South Africa?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is necessary to watch UKTV Play in South Africa due to regional restrictions and content licensing agreements. Streaming services like UKTV Play determine which content is available based on your device’s IP address, which indicates your location.

UKTV Play is exclusively available for viewers located in the United Kingdom.

If you try to access UKTV Play from South Africa without a VPN, you will likely encounter a message stating that the content is not available in your location:

To bypass these restrictions, a VPN creates a secure and encrypted connection between your device and a server in the UK.

By connecting to a UK server through the VPN, you are assigned a UK IP address, making it appear as though you are accessing the internet from the UK. This way, you can access UKTV Play and stream its content as if you were in the United Kingdom. 

I highly recommend using ExpressVPN for UKTV Play. The VPN can literally unblock the platform in a few seconds and let you stream its content without any delays.

Quick Overview of the Best VPNs to Watch UKTV Play in South Africa

Best VPNs to Watch UKTV Play in South Africa

1. ExpressVPN: Overall Best VPN to Watch UKTV Play in South Africa

ExpressVPN is the best VPN to watch UKTV Play in South Africa. It stands out due to its impressive speed, reliable unblocking capabilities, and a wide range of UK servers, ensuring a seamless streaming experience.

With over 3,000 servers spread across 94 countries, ExpressVPN offers multiple server options in five locations throughout the UK.

I connected to its Docklands server and effortlessly unblocked UKTV Play in South Africa within seconds. Streaming three episodes of “Berlin Station” was a breeze, with no annoying lag or buffering.

During speed tests, ExpressVPN proved to be lightning-fast, delivering an impressive output of 83.92 Mbps / 100 Mbps.

What’s more, ExpressVPN allows simultaneous connections on up to 8 devices, and it supports a wide range of platforms, including iOS, Windows, macOS, Roku, Kodi, FireStick, and PS4.

If you have devices that don’t support VPN apps, ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer feature comes to the rescue.

At an affordable price of $6.67/month (49% discount)– 1 year + 3 months free, ExpressVPN also offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. In short, it’s undoubtedly the best choice for enjoying UKTV Play in South Africa.

Get UKTV Play in South Africa with ExpressVPN

2. Surfshark: Most Affordable VPN to Watch UKTV Play in South Africa

Surfshark is the budget-friendly VPN to unblock UKTV Play in South Africa. Priced at just $2.29/mo (85% discount), it delivers a solid service without breaking the bank.

With a network of over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, Surfshark provides access to 200+ servers across 4 UK cities.

During my testing, I connected to its London server and gained instant access to UKTV Play. After that, streaming the series “Sandylands” in HD was a delightful experience using this VPN.

Curiosity piqued, and so I decided to put Surfshark’s speeds to the test. To my surprise, the results showed an impressive output of 81.83 Mbps / 100 Mbps.

Despite its affordable pricing, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections on a single subscription. This means you can enjoy using this VPN on all your devices, including Android, iOS, Kodi, Windows, FireStick, Roku, and more.

To ensure your security and privacy, Surfshark provides features like MultiHop, Camouflage Mode, Kill Switch, DNS Leak Protection, and adheres to a strict no-logs policy.

With Surfshark, you can unblock UKTV Play in South Africa while keeping your online activities protected.

Get UKTV Play in South Africa with Surfshark

3. NordVPN: Reliable VPN to Watch UKTV Play in South Africa With a Massive Server Network

Let’s dive into the final VPN on my list, NordVPN, a reliable option for streaming UKTV Play in South Africa.

With a staggering total of 5,700+ servers in 59 countries, including a remarkable 440+ servers spread across 4 UK cities, NordVPN boasts an extensive server list that’s hard to beat!

During testing, I connected to its Edinburgh server and effortlessly accessed UKTV Play without any obstacles. I indulged in the latest episode of “Prison Girls” and enjoyed it in high definition, free from any buffering issues.

In terms of speeds, NordVPN proved to be quite impressive. It delivered a speedy output of 80.38 Mbps / 100 Mbps during testing.

NordVPN doesn’t disappoint when it comes to simultaneous connections, offering up to six connections per subscription. This means you can stream UKTV Play on a variety of devices, including Android, iOS, Kodi, Roku, Windows, macOS, and more.

When it comes to security features, NordVPN has you covered. With features like DoubleVPN, a kill switch, AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and more, your online activities remain secure and private.

With a price of just $3.09/month (58% off) and a 30-day money-back guarantee, NordVPN offers excellent value for your money. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to stream UKTV Play in South Africa with NordVPN’s top-notch service.

Get UKTV Play in South Africa with NordVPN

How to Sign Up for UKTV Play in South Africa?

Follow the steps below to sign up for UKTV Play in South Africa:

• Subscribe to ExpressVPN and connect to a server in the UK.
• Then, visit the UKTV Play website and click ‘Account.‘

• After that, click on ‘Register to Watch.‘

• Then, enter your required details and click ‘Register to watch for free.‘ Enter any UK postal code from Google to sign up.

• Enjoy streaming UKTV Play in South Africa!

Get UKTV Play in South Africa with ExpressVPN

Worth Watching Content on UKTV Play in South Africa

New Releases to Watch on UKTV Play in May 2024 in South Africa

• The Bletchley Circle (S1)
• Smother (S2)
• Red Flag (S1)
• My Kitchen Rules Australia (S2)
• Simon Reeve’s South America (S1)
• Meet the Richardsons (S5)
• Bangers & Cash: Under the Bonnet (S1)
• Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S1)
• The Porter (S1)
• Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over USA (S2)
• Whitstable Pearl (S1)

Best Shows to Watch on UKTV Play in South Africa

• Meet the Richardsons (IMDB: 7.3)
• Not Going Out (IMDB: 7.7)
• Celebrity Storage Hunters (IMDB: 5.3)
• Taskmaster (IMDB: 9.0)
• Top Gear (IMDB: 8.7)
• The Split (IMDB: 7.9)
• Jonathan Creek (IMDB: 8.1)
• The Coroner (IMDB: 7.0)
• Atlantic Crossing (IMDB: 7.2)

Best Movies to Watch on UKTV Play in South Africa

• The Covenant (IMDB: 7.5)
• Avatar: The Way of Water (IMDB: 7.6)
• Extraction 2 (IMDB: 7.1)
• The Whale (IMDB: 7.7)
• Titanic (IMDB: 7.9)
• Cocaine Bear (IMDB: 6.0)

How Can I Get the UKTV Play App on Android in South Africa?

1. Sign up for ExpressVPN on your Android device.
2. Head to the VPN server’s list and choose a UK server.
3. On your Android device, open the Google Play app.
4. Tap on the profile icon.
5. Tap on Settings > General > Account and device preferences > Country and Profiles.
6. Tap on United Kingdom from the list.
7. Follow the instructions you see on your screen to add a payment method for that country.
8. Once your account region is changed, search for the UKTV Play app in the search bar and install it on your Android device.
9. Watch UKTV Play shows in South Africa.

Get UKTV Play in South Africa with ExpressVPN

How Can I Get the UKTV Play App on iOS in South Africa?

1. Sign up for ExpressVPN on your iOS device.
2. Head to the VPN server’s list and choose a UK server.
3. Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
4. Tap on your name, then tap on Media & Purchases.
5. Next, tap on View Account. At this point, you may be asked to sign in to your account.
6. Next, tap on the Country/Region.
7. Tap on the Change Country or Region option.
8. Select United Kingdom as your new country or region and agree to the terms and conditions.
9. Tap on Agree option located in the top right-hand corner and then tap on Agree again to confirm.
10. Finally, select a payment method and enter your new payment information and billing address. After that, tap Next.
11. Once your region changes, visit the Apple App Store and search for the UKTV Play app.
12. Download and install the UKTV Play app on your iOS device and start watching it in South Africa.

Get UKTV Play in South Africa with ExpressVPN

Other Channels That You Can Get in South Africa

• Get ThreeNow in South Africa
• Get CTV in South Africa
• Get Match TV in South Africa
• Get Optus Sport in South Africa
• Get SVT Play in South Africa
• Get Irish TV Channels in South Africa
• Get Canadian TV in South Africa
• Get TVNZ in South Africa
• Get TV Now (RTL) in South Africa
• Get Indian Channels in South Africa
• Get Hayu in South Africa
• Get BFI Player in South Africa

Wrapping Up!

In conclusion, while UKTV Play is primarily intended for viewers in the United Kingdom, it is still possible to access and enjoy its content in South Africa with the help of a VPN.

By using a reliable VPN service like ExpressVPN, you can bypass the geographical restrictions and watch UKTV Play in South Africa from the comfort of your home.

Whether you’re a fan of Dave, Yesterday, Drama, or W, UKTV Play offers a diverse range of entertainment options that can bring a taste of British television to your screens, even if you’re thousands of miles away from the UK.