National Premier Soccer League (South Africa)
Encyclopedia
The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) 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. In 1971-77 it was only for Black South African teams. Then it merged with National Football League (NFL)
, 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 (also named NPSL), where the "white teams" were allowed to field a maximum of 3 black players. Due to boardroom disagreements, there was however a split of the league in January 1985. The major part of the federation decided to found the new National Soccer League (NSL)
in accordance with anti-apartheid
principles, while 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
.
When the league folded in December 1995, the few remaining teams continued to play for next season, at the second level of South African football, known as National First Division
.
National Football League (South Africa)
The National Football League was the first professional association football league in South Africa. It was established in 1959, and was accompanied by a NFL Division II and NFL Division III in 1961 . The league was competitive during the apartheid era, and only white players were allowed to...
, 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 (also named NPSL), where the "white teams" were allowed to field a maximum of 3 black players. Due to boardroom disagreements, there was however a split of the league in January 1985. The major part of the federation decided to found the new National Soccer League (NSL)
National Soccer League (South Africa)
The National Soccer League was a South African association football league established in 1985, as a response to boardroom disagreements in the new topflight non-racial league NPSL...
in accordance with anti-apartheid
Internal resistance to South African apartheid
Internal resistance to the apartheid system in South Africa came from several sectors of society and saw the creation of organisations dedicated variously to peaceful protests, passive resistance and armed insurrection. It came from both black activists like Steve Biko and Desmond Tutu as well as...
principles, while 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
National First Division
The National First Division is the second-highest league of South African club football after the Premier Soccer League . Both the NFD and PSL are organised by the National Soccer League.-For seasons in 2007-11:...
.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| NPSL Castle League (for blacks) | |
| 1971 | Orlando Pirates |
| 1972 | AmaZulu |
| 1973 | Orlando Pirates |
| 1974 | Kaizer Chiefs |
| 1975 | Orlando Pirates |
| 1976 | Kaizer Chiefs |
| 1977 | Kaizer Chiefs |
| NPSL Castle League | |
| 1978 | Lusitano |
| 1979 | Kaizer Chiefs |
| 1980 | Highlands Park |
| 1981 | Kaizer Chiefs |
| 1982 | Durban City |
| 1983 | Durban City |
| 1984 | Kaizer Chiefs |
| NPSL | |
| 1985 | ??? |
| 1986 | Vaal Professionals |
| 1987 | Vaal Professionals |
| 1988 | Vaal Professionals |
| 1989 | Real Sweepers |
| 1990 | De Beers |
| 1991 | Oriental Spurs |
| 1992 | Arcadia Shepherds Arcadia Shepherds F.C. Arcadia Shepherds are a South African football club based in Arcadia, Pretoria that currently plays in the Vodacom League.-History:The club was founded in 1903, and was briefly renamed to Arcadia United in the seasons from 1963-68... |
| 1993 | ??? |
| 1994 | ??? |
| 1995 | Witbank All Stars |
When the league folded in December 1995, the few remaining teams continued to play for next season, at the second level of South African football, known as National First Division
National First Division
The National First Division is the second-highest league of South African club football after the Premier Soccer League . Both the NFD and PSL are organised by the National Soccer League.-For seasons in 2007-11:...
.