National Professional Soccer League (South Africa)


The National Professional Soccer League was the title of a South African association football league, between 1971 and 1995. During those years, the league, however, had three completely different organisations.

History

1971–77

In 1971–77 it was only for Black South African teams.

1978–1984

Then it merged with National Football League, which previously had been organised only for White South African players in 1959–77. The two leagues together formed a new topflight “non-racial” football league in 1978–84, where the “white teams” were allowed to field a maximum of three black players.
In January 1985, Kaizer Chiefs owner Kaizer Motaung lodged a complaint that it was unfair that 10% of revenue from a testimonial match for Ace Ntsoelengoe and Jomo Sono was expected to go to various administrative bodies including SANFA. Several clubs question the conflicts of interest for George Thabe to be the president of the NPLS and SANFA at the same time. Fifteen of the sixteen clubs petitioned for Thabe to resign as NPSL chairman and a proposal for constitution changes that remove SANFA’s veto rights over NPSL. On 29 January, Thabe told those clubs who wanted to him resign should leave the NPSL.
In February 1985, it was announced that the clubs wanting to break away had arranged sponsorship with South African Breweries, the existing sponsor of NPSL, and a newly created National Soccer League would begin on 23 February in accordance with anti-apartheid principles.

1985–1995

The remaining part of NPSL continued to co-exist as an independent league, until it folded in December 1995. When NPSL folded, the few remaining teams continued to play the next 1996–97 season in the “2nd Division of NSL”, which at that point of time became renamed to the National First Division.

Most titles

TeamTitlesYears
Kaizer Chiefs
5
1974, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1984
Orlando Pirates
4
1971, 1973, 1975, 1976
Vaal Professionals
3
1986, 1987, 1988
Durban City
2
1982, 1983
AmaZulu
1
1972
Lusitano
1
1978
Highlands Park
1
1980
Bush Bucks
1
1985
De Beers
1
1990
Oriental Spurs
1
1991
Arcadia Shepherds
1
1992
Witbank All Stars
1
1995