DateRHome v Away-
10/21 13:30 9 [11] NB La Masia FC v Platinum City Rovers [16] 0-0
10/17 13:30 8 [11] Cape Town Spurs v NB La Masia FC [9] 3-1
10/17 13:30 8 [5] Polokwane City v Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhadila [4] 2-1
10/16 13:30 8 Casric Stars FC v UTHONGATHI FC 1-0
10/16 13:30 8 [14] Black Leopards v Magesi FC [12] 0-0
10/15 13:30 8 JDR Stars v Cape Town All Stars 2-1
10/15 13:30 8 [13] Venda Football Academy v University of Pretoria [1] 0-0
10/15 13:30 8 Hungry Lions FC v Baroka FC 1-0
10/15 13:30 8 [16] Platinum City Rovers v Pretoria Callies [15] 0-0
10/12 13:30 7 [11] NB La Masia FC v Casric Stars FC [6] 2-1
10/12 13:30 7 [12] Magesi FC v University of Pretoria [2] 1-1
10/12 13:30 7 Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhadila v Black Leopards 0-1
10/12 13:30 7 Cape Town All Stars v Cape Town Spurs 0-0
10/12 13:30 7 [5] UTHONGATHI FC v JDR Stars [10] 1-1
10/11 13:30 7 [14] Pretoria Callies v Polokwane City [6] 0-1
10/11 13:30 7 Baroka FC v Platinum City Rovers 2-1
10/11 13:30 7 Hungry Lions FC v Venda Football Academy 2-0
10/09 13:30 6 [4] University of Pretoria v All Stars FC [7] 1-0
10/09 13:30 6 [6] UTHONGATHI FC v Magesi FC [12] 1-0
10/08 13:30 6 Casric Stars FC v Pretoria Callies 2-1
10/08 13:30 6 Baroka FC v Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhadila 1-2
10/08 13:30 6 Black Leopards v Platinum City Rovers 1-2
10/08 13:30 6 [9] JDR Stars v Hungry Lions FC [6] 1-2
10/07 13:30 6 [12] Cape Town Spurs v Polokwane City [3] 2-0
10/07 13:30 6 [13] NB La Masia FC v Venda Football Academy [11] 1-0
10/03 13:30 5 Platinum City Rovers v Cape Town Spurs 1-1
10/02 13:30 5 Polokwane City v Hungry Lions FC 2-0
10/01 13:30 5 [15] Pretoria Callies v NB La Masia FC [12] 2-1
10/01 13:30 5 Casric Stars FC v Black Leopards 3-1
10/01 13:30 5 Venda Football Academy v Baroka FC 1-0

The South African Championship, officially known as the Motsepe Foundation Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest league of South African football after the South African Premiership. Both the South African Championship and South African Premiership are organised by the Premier Soccer League.

History

The first non-racial second level of South African football, was established in March 1987 as the OK League. This league served as the competing place, for promotion/relegation to and from the topflight NSL. In the former years from 1978–1986, a topflight non-racial First Level had already been established, after the merger of the NFL and NPSL, to form the new common topflight NPSL. In the early years from 1978–1986 relegation/promotion to and from the topflight league, according to official records actually did happen, but apparently it happened from a Second Level league structure, still divided into whites/blacks/coloureds.

When the new topflight South African Premiership was established in 1996, the organizers at the same time for the Second Level, replaced the former OK League with the new National First Division. Apart from being covered by a better sponsor deal, the most significant change -both at the First and Second Level- was to change the fixtures from yearly seasons, into the more Internationally adapted: September–May football season.

The first sponsors were United Bank who sponsored the league in 1997 and 1998. From November 1998 until the end of the 2001/2001 season, the league was sponsored by MTN. It was reported that MTN withdrew from sponsorship the First Division as they were unhappy with their treatment from the PSL - the division organisers. MTN had been rebuffed by the PSL in their efforts to sponsor the PSL-organised Charity Cup because Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs would refuse to play in the tournament as the two clubs were sponsored by MTN's telecommunication rivals, Vodacom. The First Division could not find a new sponsor until May 2004.

From 2004 until 2007 the league was sponsored by business magnate Tokyo Sexwale's Mvelaphanda Group and known as Mvela Golden League. For those three seasons, there was no geographical split and all 16 teams played in one division. The league was then initially unable to find a sponsor, and there was again a geographical split into two or four streams until the 2011–12 season.

Streams
Year Western Cape Natal/Eastern/Cape Northern Southern
Winner Winner Winner Winner
1996–97 Santos African Wanderers Black Leopards Tembisa Classic
Streams
Year Coastal Inland
Winner Runner-up Winner Runner-up
1997–98 Seven Stars Michau Warriors Dynamos Witbank Aces
1998–99 African Wanderers Avendale Athletico Tembisa Classic Ria Stars
1999–2000 Golden Arrows Avendale Athletico Ria Stars Dynamos
2000–01 Amazulu Park United Black Leopards Bloemfontein Young Tigers
2001–02 African Wanderers Avendale Athletico Dynamos Silver Stars
2002–03 AmaZulu Premier United Silver Stars Bloem Celtic
2003–04 Bush Bucks Avendale Athletico Bloemfontein Celtic Free State Stars
National
Winner Runner-up Third place Fourth place
2004–05 Free State Stars Durban Stars Hellenic Tembisa Classic
2005–06 Wits University City Pillars Vasco Da Gama Benoni Premier United
2006–07 Free State Stars Winners Park Pretoria University FC AK
Streams
Year Coastal Inland
Winner Runner-up Winner Runner-up
2007–08 Maritzburg United Bay United FC AK Dynamos
2008–09 Carara Kicks FC Cape Town Jomo Cosmos Mpumalanga Black Aces
2009–10 Vasco Da Gama Nathi Lions Black Leopards African Warriors
2010–11 Bay United Thanda Royal Zulu Jomo Cosmos Black Leopards
National
Winner Runner-up Third place Fourth place
2011–12 Pretoria University Chippa United Thanda Royal Zulu Blackburn Rovers
2012–13 Polokwane City Santos Mpumalanga Black Aces Thanda Royal Zulu
2013–14 Chippa United Black Leopards Maritzburg United Baroka
2014–15 Lamontville Golden Arrows Jomo Cosmos Black Leopards Thanda Zulu Royal
2015–16 Baroka Highlands Park Mbombela United Witbank Spurs
2016–17 Thanda Royal Zulu F.C. Black Leopards Stellenbosch Royal Eagles
2017–18 Highlands Park Black Leopards Jomo Cosmos Real Kings
2018–19 Stellenbosch Royal Eagles Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila Ajax Cape Town
2019–20 Moroka Swallows Ajax Cape Town Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila Real Kings
2020–21 Sekhukhune United Royal AM Richards Bay TS Sporting
2021–22 Richards Bay Tuks Cape Town All Stars JDR Stars
2022–23 Polokwane City Cape Town Spurs Casric Stars All Stars
2023–24 Magesi University of Pretoria Baroka Maritzburg United
Notes
**South Africa National Div 1 Tournament Description**

The South Africa National Div 1, also known as the National First Division (NFD), is the second tier of professional soccer in South Africa, serving as a crucial stepping stone for clubs aspiring to reach the elite level of the Premier Soccer League (PSL). This highly competitive tournament showcases the best of South African football talent, featuring a diverse array of teams from across the nation, each vying for promotion to the top division.

The tournament typically runs from August to May, with teams competing in a round-robin format. Each club plays a total of 30 matches, facing off against every other team both home and away. The excitement builds as teams battle for points, with the top performers earning the coveted promotion to the PSL, while the bottom teams face the threat of relegation to the lower divisions.

The South Africa National Div 1 is not just about the pursuit of glory; it is a platform for emerging talent, where young players can showcase their skills and make a name for themselves in the competitive world of South African soccer. Fans can expect thrilling matches, passionate rivalries, and a vibrant atmosphere in stadiums across the country.

With a rich history and a commitment to developing the sport at grassroots levels, the National Div 1 plays a vital role in the growth of soccer in South Africa, fostering local talent and providing a pathway for clubs to achieve their dreams. Whether you are a die-hard supporter or a casual fan, the South Africa National Div 1 promises an exhilarating experience filled with drama, skill, and the unyielding spirit of competition.