Vodacom League, sometimes also referred to as Vodacom Promotional League, was founded in 1998 as the current Second Division and the overall third tier of South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

n football (soccer)

Football (soccer)

Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...

. The competition is regulated by SAFA

South African Football Association

The South African Football Association or SAFA is the governing body of football in South Africa.-History:The South African Football Association was founded on 8 December, 1991, the culmination of a long unity process that was to rid the sport in South Africa of all its past racial division.Four...

, and sponsored by mobile telecommunications company Vodacom

Vodacom

Vodacom is a pan-African mobile telecommunications company, and was the 1st cellular network in South Africa. It provides GSM service to more than 35 million customers in South Africa, Tanzania, Lesotho, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Revenue for the year ended 31 March 2008...

. Currently it features 145 teams in total, divided into 9 divisions, borderly decided by the 9 geo-political provinces of South Africa: Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...

, Free State

Free State

The Free State is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bloemfontein, which is also South Africa's judicial capital. Its historical origins lie in the Orange Free State Boer republic and later Orange Free State Province. The current borders of the province date from 1994 when the Bantustans...

, KwaZulu Natal, Northern Cape

Northern Cape

The Northern Cape is the largest and most sparsely populated province of South Africa. It was created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. Its capital is Kimberley. It includes the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, part of an international park shared with Botswana...

, Western Cape

Western Cape

The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...

, Gauteng

Gauteng

Gauteng is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. It was formed from part of the old Transvaal Province after South Africa's first all-race elections on 27 April 1994...

, Limpopo

Limpopo

Limpopo is the northernmost province of South Africa. The capital is Polokwane, formerly named Pietersburg. The province was formed from the northern region of Transvaal Province in 1994, and initially named Northern Transvaal...

, Mpumalanga

Mpumalanga

Mpumalanga , is a province of South Africa. The name means east or literally "the place where the sun rises" in Swazi, Xhosa, Ndebele and Zulu. Mpumalanga lies in eastern South Africa, north of KwaZulu-Natal and bordering Swaziland and Mozambique. It constitutes 6.5% of South Africa's land area...

 and North West

North West (South African province)

North West is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Mafikeng. The province is located to the west of the major population centre of Gauteng.-History:...

. This mean, that each Provincial division contain 16 teams as standard. The winner of each Provincial division qualifies for the annual Vodacom Promotional Play-offs, where the winners of two streams, will get promoted 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:...

. In each Province, the two lowest ranked teams by the end of the season, will be relegated to U21 SAB Regional League, which in return will promote two play-off winners from the Regional Championships.

An important rule to note, is that all clubs in South Africa also are allowed to compete with youth teams (U19/U21) and/or a Reserve team in a lower SAFA league. If a club opt to field such teams, the U19 teams will start out at the fifth level in the U19 National League

SAFA U19 National League

The SAFA U19 National League is the fifth tier of domestic football in the South African football pyramid.The competition is split into four phases. The first phase is a nominal league competition between clubs within a Local Football Association's jurisdiction. The second phase is a tournament...

, while U21 teams or Reserve teams will start out at the fourth level in the U21 SAB Regional League. If any U19 team win promotion for U21 SAB Regional League or Vodacom League, this promotion is fully accepted. No club are however entitled to field two teams at the same level, and rule 4.6.4 of the SAFA regulations states, that if the mother club play in 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:...

 or Premier Soccer League

Premier Soccer League

Premier Soccer League is the trading name of the National Soccer League of South Africa. The top league is the ABSA Premiership, sponsored by ABSA...

, then the highest level these additional Youth/Reserve teams are allowed to compete, will be the Vodacom League. In such cases, where a non-promotable team manage to win their regional division, the ticket for the promotional playoffs will instead be handed over to the second best team in the division.

In the 2010–11 season these promotional restrictions mean, that: Ajax Cape Town U19, Bay Academy, Bid Boys, Celtic Colts, SuperSport T.H. Academy and Mitchells Plain United, were all accepted to play in Vodacom League, but without any possibility of further promotion.

Provincial divisions

The 9 geographical provinces of South Africa, each have a local division in Vodacom League. These divisions belong either to the Inland Stream or Coastal Stream, which are used to place the provincial winners into two round robin groups, at the promotional play-off stage by the end of the season. The Coastal Stream comprises: Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape; while the Inland Stream comprises: Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North-West. In previous years, until August 2008, the Free State province belonged to the Inland Stream.

Eastern Cape

{| class="wikitable" width="360px";
|-
!width="60px"|Season
!width="150px"|Winner
!width="150px"|Runner-Up
|-
| align="center" | 1998–99
|
|
|-
| align="center" | 1999–00
| Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers FC (South Africa)

Blackburn Rovers are a South African football club from East London, Eastern Cape who play in the National First Division.In 2010 they gained promotion to the National First Division after winning the Vodacom League Eastern Cape League and finishing the season as the division's overall runner-up....

|
|-
| align="center"| 2000–01
| PE Technikon
| PE Tigers
|-
| align="center"| 2001–02
| Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers FC (South Africa)

Blackburn Rovers are a South African football club from East London, Eastern Cape who play in the National First Division.In 2010 they gained promotion to the National First Division after winning the Vodacom League Eastern Cape League and finishing the season as the division's overall runner-up....

| PE Tigers
|-
| align="center"| 2002–03
| UPE-FCK
| Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers FC (South Africa)

Blackburn Rovers are a South African football club from East London, Eastern Cape who play in the National First Division.In 2010 they gained promotion to the National First Division after winning the Vodacom League Eastern Cape League and finishing the season as the division's overall runner-up....

|-
| align="center"| 2003–04
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| align="center"| 2004–05
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| align="center"| 2005–06
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| align="center"| 2006–07
|
|
|-
| align="center"| 2007–08
|
|
|-
| align="center"| 2008–09
| Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers FC (South Africa)

Blackburn Rovers are a South African football club from East London, Eastern Cape who play in the National First Division.In 2010 they gained promotion to the National First Division after winning the Vodacom League Eastern Cape League and finishing the season as the division's overall runner-up....

|
|-
| align="center"| 2009–10
| Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers FC (South Africa)

Blackburn Rovers are a South African football club from East London, Eastern Cape who play in the National First Division.In 2010 they gained promotion to the National First Division after winning the Vodacom League Eastern Cape League and finishing the season as the division's overall runner-up....

| Tornado
|-
| align="center"| 2010–11
| Buffalo

FC Buffalo (South Africa)

FC Buffalo is an association football club based in the Southernhood suburb of East London, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The club was founded in June 2006, and during their first four years, they played in SAB Regional League, the fourth level of South African football...

| Tornado
|}

Kwazulu Natal

{| class="wikitable" width="360px";
|-
!width="60px"|Season
!width="150px"|Winner
!width="150px"|Runner-Up
|-
| align="center" | 1998–99
|
|
|-
| align="center" | 1999–00
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|-
| align="center"| 2000–01
| Nathi Stars
| Leeds United
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| align="center"| 2001–02
| Moja United
| Greenpoint Vultures
|-
| align="center"| 2002–03
| Nathi Stars
| Italian Juventus
|-
| align="center"| 2003–04
|
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| align="center"| 2004–05
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| align="center"| 2005–06
|
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| align="center"| 2006–07
| Abaqulusi
|
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| align="center"| 2007–08
| Island
|
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| align="center"| 2008–09
| Newcastle Sicilians
|
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| align="center"| 2009–10
| Island
| African Wanderers

African Wanderers

African Wanderers is a South African football club, based in the Chatsworth township, which is a suburb of Durban in South Africa. The club currently play in the KwaZulu-Natal province of Vodacom League, and prefer to use the SJ Smith Stadium as home venue....

|-
| align="center"| 2010–11
| Durban Stars
| Sobantu Shooting Stars
|}

Northern Cape

{| class="wikitable" width="360px";
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!width="60px"|Season
!width="150px"|Winner
!width="150px"|Runner-Up
|-
| align="center" | 1998–99
|
|
|-
| align="center" | 1999–00
| Glenville
|
|-
| align="center"| 2000–01
| William Prescod
| Louisville Pirates
|-
| align="center"| 2001–02
| Young Pirates
| Louisville Pirates
|-
| align="center"| 2002–03
| Dalton Brothers
| Olympics
|-
| align="center"| 2003–04
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| align="center"| 2004–05
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| align="center"| 2005–06
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| align="center"| 2006–07
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| align="center"| 2007–08
|
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| align="center"| 2008–09
| Real Madrid

Real Madrid (South Africa)

Real Madrid is a semi-professional association football club, based in the Galeshewe suburb of Kimberley, in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. The club was initially established in 1987 with the name Ipogeng Stars. As the founder and current president of the club, Andrew Seleka, was a big...

|
|-
| align="center"| 2009–10
| Kakamas Sundowns
| Wings United
|-
| align="center"| 2010–11
| Real Madrid

Real Madrid (South Africa)

Real Madrid is a semi-professional association football club, based in the Galeshewe suburb of Kimberley, in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. The club was initially established in 1987 with the name Ipogeng Stars. As the founder and current president of the club, Andrew Seleka, was a big...

| Steach United
|}

Western Cape

{| class="wikitable" width="360px";
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!width="60px"|Season
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|-
| align="center" | 1998–99
|
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| align="center" | 1999–00
|
|
|-
| align="center"| 2000–01
| Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama (South Africa)

Vasco da Gama is a South African football club based in Parow, Cape Town that plays in the National First Division. Coming from the lower ranks, the club has its roots entrenched in the local Portuguese South African community. The club is named after Brazilian club CR Vasco da Gama.-History:Vasco...

| Juventus
|-
| align="center"| 2001–02
| Juventus
| Rygersdal Aces
|-
| align="center"| 2002–03
| Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama (South Africa)

Vasco da Gama is a South African football club based in Parow, Cape Town that plays in the National First Division. Coming from the lower ranks, the club has its roots entrenched in the local Portuguese South African community. The club is named after Brazilian club CR Vasco da Gama.-History:Vasco...

| Clyde Pinelands
|-
| align="center"| 2003–04
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| align="center"| 2004–05
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| align="center"| 2005–06
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|-
| align="center"| 2006–07
|
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|-
| align="center"| 2007–08
|
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|-
| align="center"| 2008–09
| Steenberg United
|
|-
| align="center"| 2009–10
| Mitchells Plain United
| Milano United
|-
| align="center"| 2010–11
| Chippa United

Chippa United

Chippa United is a semi-professional association football club based in the Nyanga suburb of Cape Town, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The club was founded in June 2010, where they bought the Castle League franchise of Mbekweni Cosmos, and hereby started out to play in Vodacom League...

| Milano United
|}

Coastal Stream / Inland Stream

Free State belonged to the Inland Stream in 1998-2008,

but was transferred to the Coastal Stream for subsequent seasons.

Free State

{| class="wikitable" width="360px";
|-
!width="60px"|Season
!width="150px"|Winner
!width="150px"|Runner-Up
|-
| align="center" | 1998–99
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| align="center" | 1999–00
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| align="center"| 2000–01
| Welkom Stars
| Maholosiane
|-
| align="center"| 2001–02
| Maholosiane
| Roses United

Roses United F.C.

Roses United is a semi-professional association football club, based in the Bayswater suburb of Bloemfontein, in the Free State province of South Africa...

|-
| align="center"| 2002–03
| Roses United

Roses United F.C.

Roses United is a semi-professional association football club, based in the Bayswater suburb of Bloemfontein, in the Free State province of South Africa...

| Dikoena
|-
| align="center"| 2003–04
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| align="center"| 2004–05
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| align="center"| 2005–06
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| align="center"| 2006–07
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| align="center"| 2007–08
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| align="center"| 2008–09
| United

United FC (South Africa)

United FC is a South African football club based in Kroonstad that plays in the National First Division.-External links:**...

|
|-
| align="center"| 2009–10
| Roses United

Roses United F.C.

Roses United is a semi-professional association football club, based in the Bayswater suburb of Bloemfontein, in the Free State province of South Africa...

| Maluti Fet College
|-
| align="center"| 2010–11
| Roses United

Roses United F.C.

Roses United is a semi-professional association football club, based in the Bayswater suburb of Bloemfontein, in the Free State province of South Africa...

| Botshabelo
|}

Gauteng

{| class="wikitable" width="360px";
|-
!width="60px"|Season
!width="150px"|Winner
!width="150px"|Runner-Up
|-
| align="center" | 1998–99
|
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|-
| align="center" | 1999–00
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|-
| align="center"| 2000–01
| Mamelodi Juventus
| Mandel Kings
|-
| align="center"| 2001–02
| Ennerdale Arcadia
| BK Callies
|-
| align="center"| 2002–03
| Arcadia Shepherds
| Luso Africa
|-
| align="center"| 2003–04
|
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| align="center"| 2004–05
| P.J Stars
|
|-
| align="center"| 2005–06
| Yebo Yes United
|
|-
| align="center"| 2006–07
|
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|-
| align="center"| 2007–08
| M Tigers
|
|-
| align="center"| 2008–09
| Lusitano
|
|-
| align="center"| 2009–10
| FC AK
| M Tigers
|-
| align="center"| 2010–11
|
|
|}

Limpopo

{| class="wikitable" width="360px";
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!width="60px"|Season
!width="150px"|Winner
!width="150px"|Runner-Up
|-
| align="center" | 1998–99
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| align="center" | 1999–00
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| align="center"| 2000–01
| Sisterpark
| Winnerspark
|-
| align="center"| 2001–02
| Winnerspark
| Gesane Arsenal
|-
| align="center"| 2002–03
| Winnerspark
| Gesane Arsenal
|-
| align="center"| 2003–04
|
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| align="center"| 2004–05
|
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| align="center"| 2005–06
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| align="center"| 2006–07
|
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| align="center"| 2007–08
|
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|-
| align="center"| 2008–09
| Peace Lovers
|
|-
| align="center"| 2009–10
| Peace Lovers
| Limpopom United
|-
| baroka fc
| 2010–11
|
|
|}

Mpumalanga

{| class="wikitable" width="360px";
|-
!width="60px"|Season
!width="150px"|Winner
!width="150px"|Runner-Up
|-
| align="center" | 1998–99
|
|
|-
| align="center" | 1999–00
|
|
|-
| align="center"| 2000–01
| Green Nation
| Ferrometals
|-
| align="center"| 2001–02
| People's Bank Spurs
| Sporting
|-
| align="center"| 2002–03
| Sporting
| Home Defenders
|-
| align="center"| 2003–04
|
|
|-
| align="center"| 2004–05
| Witbank Spurs
|
|-
| align="center"| 2005–06
|
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|-
| align="center"| 2006–07
|
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|-
| align="center"| 2007–08
|
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|-
| align="center"| 2008–09
| Batau
|
|-
| align="center"| 2009–10
| Mologadi
| Barberton City Stars
|-
| align="center"| 2010–11
|
|
|}

North west

{| class="wikitable" width="360px";
|-
!width="60px"|Season
!width="150px"|Winner
!width="150px"|Runner-Up
|-
| align="center" | 1998–99
|
|
|-
| align="center" | 1999–00
|
|
|-
| align="center"| 2000–01
| Mafikeng City
| Western Aces
|-
| align="center"| 2001–02
| Leicester City
| Western Aces
|-
| align="center"| 2002–03
| Kanana Stars
| Anderlecht
|-
| align="center"| 2003–04
|
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|-
| align="center"| 2004–05
|
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|-
| align="center"| 2005–06
| Ga-Rankuwa United
|
|-
| align="center"| 2006–07
|
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|-
| align="center"| 2007–08
|
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|-
| align="center"| 2008–09
| RNB 54
|
|-
| align="center"| 2009–10
| Ga-Rankuwa United
| City of Matlosana United
|-
| align="center"| 2010–11
|
|
|}

Promoted teams

In the seasons from 1998-2003, the four best teams from Vodacom League -determined by annual playoffs among the winners and runner-ups of the 9 provinces in South Africa- won promotion for 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:...

. The playoff system divided the teams into an Inland stream and Coastal Stream, where the best two teams from each stream won promotion.

In the seasons after 2003, the number of annually promoted teams decreased to 2. The concept of the playoff system however remained the same, in regards of dividing the teams into a Coastal Stream and Inland Stream, but now of course only to reward the winner of both streams with promotion. Both promoted teams will then finally also meet to play the overall Vodacom League final, where the overall Vodacom League championship trophy is at stake.

The list below show all the promoted Vodacom League teams, since 1998.

Promoted Teams
Season	Inland Stream	Coastal Stream
1998–99	Arcadia Shepherds Mapate Silver Stars	Premier United Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers FC (South Africa) Blackburn Rovers are a South African football club from East London, Eastern Cape who play in the National First Division.In 2010 they gained promotion to the National First Division after winning the Vodacom League Eastern Cape League and finishing the season as the division's overall runner-up....
1999–00	Ledwaba Power Stars Alexandra United	Maritzburg City Basotho Tigers
2000–01	Welkom Stars Mamelodi Juventus	William Prescod PE Technikon
2001–02	Maholosiane Peoples Bank Spurs	Moja United Juventus (Western Cape)
2002–03	Winners Park FC Sporting	Vasco da Gama Vasco da Gama (South Africa) Vasco da Gama is a South African football club based in Parow, Cape Town that plays in the National First Division. Coming from the lower ranks, the club has its roots entrenched in the local Portuguese South African community. The club is named after Brazilian club CR Vasco da Gama.-History:Vasco... Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers FC (South Africa) Blackburn Rovers are a South African football club from East London, Eastern Cape who play in the National First Division.In 2010 they gained promotion to the National First Division after winning the Vodacom League Eastern Cape League and finishing the season as the division's overall runner-up....
Promoted Teams
Season	Vodacom League Winner	Vodacom League Runner-up
2003–04	Pretoria University	Louisville Pirates
2004–05	Witbank Spurs	PJ Stars Kings
2005–06	OR Tambo DC	Garankuwa United Garankuwa United F.C. Garankuwa United, sometimes also spelled Ga-Rankuwa United, is a semi-professional association football club based in the Garankuwa suburb of Pretoria, in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The club was founded -or revived- in July 2004, to play their first season in the SAFA Regional League...
2006–07	African Warriors African Warriors F.C. African Warriors are a South African football club based in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State that participates in the National First Division, Coastal Stream.-External links:**...	Hanover Park Hanover Park F.C. Hanover Park is a South African football club based in the suburb Hanover Park of Cape Town. They currently play in the National First Division, Coastal Stream, with a home venue at the nearby Wynberg Military Base Stadium, situated in the suburb Wynberg.-External links:**...
2007–08	Vasco da Gama Vasco da Gama (South Africa) Vasco da Gama is a South African football club based in Parow, Cape Town that plays in the National First Division. Coming from the lower ranks, the club has its roots entrenched in the local Portuguese South African community. The club is named after Brazilian club CR Vasco da Gama.-History:Vasco...	Carara Kicks Carara Kicks F.C. Carara Kicks are a South African football club based in Welkom, Free State that participates in theNational First Division.The club is owned by Motebang Mokoena, the son of Free State Stars owner Mike Mokoena and serves as a feeder team to Stars who play in the Premier Soccer League.-External...
2008–09	United United FC (South Africa) United FC is a South African football club based in Kroonstad that plays in the National First Division.-External links:**...	Batau
2009–10 2009–10 Vodacom League The 2009–10 Vodacom League season took place in South Africa between the months of August and April. The season was scheduled to begin and end, one month earlier than normal, due to the country's 2010 FIFA World Cup preparation...	FC AK	Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers FC (South Africa) Blackburn Rovers are a South African football club from East London, Eastern Cape who play in the National First Division.In 2010 they gained promotion to the National First Division after winning the Vodacom League Eastern Cape League and finishing the season as the division's overall runner-up....
2010–11	Chippa United Chippa United Chippa United is a semi-professional association football club based in the Nyanga suburb of Cape Town, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The club was founded in June 2010, where they bought the Castle League franchise of Mbekweni Cosmos, and hereby started out to play in Vodacom League...	Sivutsa Stars Sivutsa Stars F.C. Sivutsa Stars is a South African football club based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.Founded in 2009, Stars managed promotion to the National First Division in 2011 by finishing second at the Vodacom League play-offs....

External links

• South Africa Football Association: Database with logs and results