Herbicides play a major role in weed management worldwide. However, herbicide resistance is a global challenge that threatens weed management and sustainable agriculture. In South Africa, over 36 years, ten weed species have evolved resistance to five modes of action. In this review, cases of herbicide resistance that were published in scientific journals, proceedings of congresses, theses or dissertations, and in the international survey of herbicide-resistant weeds, were included to give national and international scientists’ perspectives on the current status of herbicide resistance in South Africa. Since the last review was published in 2010, there have been new insights and novel techniques to document the molecular mechanism of herbicide-resistant weeds. Most cases of herbicide resistance in South Africa involved monocot and dicot weeds which are problematic in various cropping systems such as Lolium spp. (annual ryegrass), Phalaris spp. (canary grass), Avena spp. (wild oats), and Raphanus raphanistrum L. (wild radish). Understanding the extent of herbicide resistance and the molecular mechanism involved in herbicide resistance is paramount to developing novel techniques to manage herbicide-resistant weeds. Significance: Data presented in this review help raise awareness of the threat of herbicide resistance in South Africa. Herbicide resistance in South Africa continues to evolve steadily through a wide range of weed species and modes of action.

Agriculture is one of the main pillars of the economy in Southern Africa. According to the World Bank, the poverty rate in South Africa at the national level is 55%. Therefore, commercial farming is essential for economic development and poverty alleviation. However, certain factors pose a threat to the long-term viability of commercial crop farming. The aim of this review was to evaluate risk factors threatening commercial agriculture in South Africa. Several anthropogenic and environmental factors, such as climate change, pesticide contamination, land degradation, pests and diseases, were identified as risk factors threatening the sustainability of commercial crop farming in South Africa. Political factors such as the energy crisis and land reform were also identified as areas of great concern. A shift to regenerative agriculture is needed to ensure the sustainability of commercial agriculture because it is presently unsustainable. Contribution: Agriculture has a crucial role in South Africa’s economy, and the threats identified in this study need to be prioritised to help preserve farmers’ livelihoods and the overall economy by reducing financial risks, reducing unemployment and maintaining a consistent supply of agricultural exports.

Currently, herbicide resistance in weeds has become one of the most critical agricultural issues in the world, affecting the sustainability of herbicide usage. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using articles from the Web of Science database published between 1975 and 2025 to analyze and map the global research trends and themes pertaining to herbicide resistance in weeds. The most influential authors, journals, countries, and themes on herbicide resistance were visualized in the R environment. The results revealed that a total of 6615 articles were generated between 1975 and 2025 and the countries that have contributed to herbicide resistance are mostly the United States of America (USA), China, Australia, Canada, and Brazil. Frequent collaboration between the USA and Australia (89 articles), China and Australia (51), Brazil and Spain (39), Australia and India (49), Malaysia and Bangladesh (7), Iran and Denmark (6), and Germany and Zimbabwe (1) was observed. The analysis identified ryegrass, Palmer amaranth, barnyardgrass, and goosegrass as the most frequently studied weed species, while glyphosate, 2,4-D, glufosinate, and atrazine were the most investigated herbicides. Mapping out the evolution of herbicide resistance helps highlight how research has intensified over time due to the rising prevalence of resistant weeds, which now affect over 548 unique cases worldwide across various modes of action.