The 2025–26 SAFA Second Division (known as the ABC Motsepe League for sponsorship reasons)[ 1] is the 28th season of the SAFA Second Division , the third tier for South African association football clubs, since its establishment in 1998. Due to the size of South Africa, the competition was split into nine divisions, one for each region. After the league stage of the regional competition is completed, the nine winning teams of each regional division will enter the playoffs.[ 2]
ABC Motsepe League Season 2025–26 Champions Hope FC / Sea Point Swifts Promoted Hope FC / Sea Point Swifts, NWU Soccer Institute
The competition is administered by the South African Football Association .
Due the expulsion of Premiership team Royal AM , three teams were promoted from the previous season rather than the usual two. The start of the season was again affected by legal challenges following the decision to conclude the previous season's playoffs with only seven teams, after the exclusion of the Eastern Cape and Limpopo representatives.[ 3]
Eastern Cape Coastal Stream
edit
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Old Grey
18
10
8
0
38
15
+23
38
Qualification for Eastern Cape final
2
Komani United
18
12
2
4
28
13
+15
38
3
Gqeberha United
18
10
3
5
30
22
+8
33
4
Buffalo City Relatives
18
9
2
7
34
25
+9
29
5
Amavarara
18
7
3
8
21
23
− 2
24
6
Camdeboo Football Academy
18
7
3
8
26
29
− 3
24
7
Makana Rhini United
18
6
2
10
21
33
− 12
20
8
Sundays River Valley Academy
18
4
7
7
17
20
− 3
19
9
Seven Stars
18
4
4
10
22
31
− 9
16
10
Emi
18
2
4
12
11
37
− 26
10
Eastern Cape Inland Stream
edit
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
FC Ravens
18
14
3
1
42
9
+33
45
Qualification for Eastern Cape final
2
SA Spear of the Nation
18
12
4
2
29
11
+18
40
3
Bizana Pondo City
18
8
4
6
23
19
+4
28
4
Matta Milan
18
7
7
4
14
12
+2
28
5
Sinenkani
18
6
7
5
18
11
+7
25
6
Bush Bucks
18
5
7
6
16
21
− 5
22
7
FC Batallion
18
4
4
10
17
32
− 15
16
8
Amaxesibe
18
4
4
10
13
28
− 15
16
9
Fast Eleven
18
4
3
11
11
27
− 16
15
10
Mighty Eagles
18
0
9
9
11
24
− 13
9
Relegation to the Hollywoodbets Regional League
In March 2026, Mathaithai pulled out of the league, citing SAFA's failure to pay five years worth of grants, and lack of sponsorship.[ 5]
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Mangaung Unite
33
25
7
1
75
20
+55
82
Qualification for Promotion play-offs
2
Mangaung City
33
19
9
5
57
30
+27
66
3
Sasolburg United
33
19
8
6
47
30
+17
65
4
Kovsies
33
17
7
9
61
37
+24
58
5
Super Eagles
33
16
9
8
51
32
+19
57
6
African Warriors
33
15
7
11
44
46
− 2
52
7
Kamele FC
33
15
5
13
52
39
+13
50
8
Tower United
33
13
10
10
57
53
+4
49
9
Welkom Real Stars
33
10
12
11
51
52
− 1
42
10
Sibanye Stillwater
33
12
5
16
47
54
− 7
41
11
Motsomotle
33
9
11
13
46
50
− 4
38
12
Free State United
32
10
7
15
47
55
− 8
37
13
Central University
33
9
7
17
44
61
− 17
34
14
Remember Elite Soccer Academy
33
7
10
16
39
60
− 21
31
15
Bloemfontein Young Tigers
32
7
6
19
45
71
− 26
27
16
Mathathai
17
6
4
7
18
21
− 3
22
17
Brave Eleven
33
4
10
19
36
59
− 23
22
Relegation to the SAFA Regional League
18
Mountain Eagles
33
4
8
21
28
75
− 47
20
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
La Masia
34
20
9
5
47
23
+24
69
Qualification for Promotion play-offs
2
Free Agents
34
19
11
4
48
17
+31
68
3
Tembisa Hollywood Thunder
34
16
13
5
36
22
+14
61
4
Dinoko City
34
16
12
6
51
34
+17
60
5
Mabopane JM
34
17
6
11
45
30
+15
57
6
Rrr Rams
34
18
6
10
51
40
+11
60
7
Orlando Pirates B
34
16
7
11
52
33
+19
55
8
Soweto Super United M-17
34
15
10
9
54
36
+18
55
9
University of Johannesburg
34
14
7
13
39
34
+5
49
10
Young Pirates
34
13
7
14
41
45
− 4
46
11
JBM
34
10
10
14
37
43
− 6
40
12
Wits University
34
11
7
16
36
46
− 10
40
13
Jomo Cosmos
34
9
12
13
38
51
− 13
39
14
Tshwane University of Technology
34
9
9
16
35
49
− 14
36
15
Mike-1-Stars
34
9
7
18
36
56
− 20
34
16
Tshwane South College
34
9
6
19
44
54
− 10
33
17
Dube Continental
34
7
10
17
43
56
− 13
31
Relegation to Hollywoodbets Regional League
18
Leruma United
34
1
5
28
15
79
− 64
8
KwaZulu-Natal Stream A
edit
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Umvoti
22
19
2
1
43
9
+34
59
Qualification for KwaZulu-Natal final
2
Njampela
22
18
2
2
43
13
+30
56
3
Summerfield Dynamos
22
11
7
4
30
15
+15
40
4
Ulundi United
22
11
7
4
28
17
+11
40
5
Tornado
22
8
7
7
30
24
+6
31
6
Umlazi Young Lions
22
7
7
8
24
23
+1
28
7
Asande
22
8
4
10
21
24
− 3
28
8
Durban Pioneers
22
6
4
12
22
32
− 10
22
9
Hellenic
22
6
3
13
22
36
− 14
21
10
Good Fellas
22
6
2
14
27
43
− 16
20
11
University of KwaZulu-Natal
22
5
1
16
21
48
− 27
16
12
Umzinto United
22
3
2
17
22
49
− 27
11
Relegation to the SAFA Regional League
KwaZulu-Natal Stream B
edit
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Mkhambathi
22
17
4
1
42
7
+35
55
Qualification for KwaZulu-Natal final ]
2
Msinga United
22
16
5
1
43
9
+34
53
3
Umshwathi United
22
11
7
4
24
13
+11
40
4
Chess
22
11
5
6
22
13
+9
38
5
Falcons
22
10
6
6
28
19
+9
36
6
KwaMashu Durban Knights
22
8
6
8
23
27
− 4
30
7
Umgungundlovu United
22
7
8
7
19
17
+2
29
8
Ethekwini Coastal
22
7
1
14
17
43
− 26
22
9
Ditlou
22
3
7
12
17
30
− 13
16
10
Newcastle All Stars
22
3
5
14
14
31
− 17
14
11
Newcastle Warriors
22
2
8
12
15
34
− 19
14
12
Drakensberg
22
2
8
12
11
32
− 21
14
In March, the game between Ngwaabe City Motors and Eleven Fast Tiger was abandoned after a penalty was awarded to Ngwaabe. Tigers felt that the decision was unfair, and that they had had two clear penalties denied, and left the pitch in protest.[ 8]
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Mpheni Home Defenders
22
14
6
2
43
14
+29
48
Qualification for Limpopo final
2
Tzaneen United
22
13
4
5
40
26
+14
43
3
The Dolphins
22
12
6
4
29
19
+10
42
4
Mukondeni Young Chiefs
22
9
9
4
27
21
+6
36
5
White Vultures
22
8
9
5
34
28
+6
33
6
Musina United
22
7
7
8
24
28
− 4
28
7
Vondwe XI Bullets
22
8
4
10
17
23
− 6
28
8
Phalaborwa United
22
6
7
9
21
23
− 2
25
9
Nkowankowa Continental
22
6
4
12
25
35
− 10
22
10
Baduzah Celtics
22
4
9
9
22
28
− 6
21
11
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila
21
3
7
11
18
36
− 18
16
12
Lebash Football Academy
21
3
4
14
22
41
− 19
13
Relegation to the SAFA Regional League
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
City Motors
22
12
6
4
30
10
+20
42
Qualification for Limpopo final
2
Makotopong Bahumi
22
11
6
5
33
21
+12
39
3
Mohlabile United
22
9
9
4
24
22
+2
36
4
Mighty
22
10
6
6
33
33
0
36
5
Ramatlaohle Mogalakwena United
22
9
7
6
29
26
+3
34
6
Mokopane Pj Stars United
22
8
5
9
25
27
− 2
29
7
Eleven Fast Tigers
22
7
7
8
26
26
0
28
8
Royal Pirates
22
8
3
11
30
31
− 1
27
9
Ditlou
22
5
11
6
19
20
− 1
26
10
Tubatse United
21
7
5
9
21
27
− 6
26
11
Gosebe United
22
6
5
11
30
34
− 4
23
12
University of Limpopo Academy
21
1
6
14
16
39
− 23
9
Relegation to the SAFA Regional League
Mpheni Home Defenders v City Motors
[ 9]
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Phezulu
22
20
2
0
67
12
+55
62
Qualification for Mpumalanga final
2
Middelburg United
22
13
6
3
39
16
+23
45
3
Shimadel
22
12
6
4
36
17
+19
42
4
Secunda M Stars
22
11
8
3
29
18
+11
41
5
Home Culture Express
22
9
7
6
28
18
+10
34
6
Carolina Young Boys
22
9
6
7
23
16
+7
33
7
KwaNdebele United
21
6
5
10
22
39
− 17
23
8
Witbank City Lads
21
5
7
9
18
24
− 6
22
9
Amsterdam United
22
5
5
12
14
36
− 22
20
10
Home Defenders
22
4
5
13
20
46
− 26
17
11
Machidi Lion Brothers
22
3
5
14
19
35
− 16
14
12
Tiger Boys
22
1
4
17
11
49
− 38
7
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Luthuli Brigades
18
13
3
2
31
9
+22
42
Qualification for Mpumalanga final
2
Fernie Battalion
18
11
4
3
29
8
+21
37
3
KaMhlushwa Real Madrid
18
11
4
3
25
11
+14
37
4
Liver Brothers
18
7
6
5
18
16
+2
27
5
Junior Callies
18
4
8
6
15
19
− 4
20
6
Makhonjwa All Stars
18
4
7
7
16
21
− 5
19
7
Dankie Son
18
4
6
8
14
28
− 14
18
8
Zebras
18
3
7
8
15
23
− 8
16
9
Sibange Young Bucks
18
2
8
8
10
19
− 9
14
10
Acornhoek United
18
2
5
11
12
31
− 19
11
Relegation to Hollywoodbets Regional League
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head goals scored; 5) goal difference; 6) goals scored; 7) playoff.
Phezulu v Luthuli Brigades
Northern Cape Stream A
edit
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
NC Professionals
8
6
1
1
26
6
+20
19
Qualification for Northern Cape final
2
Amalawus
7
6
0
1
15
6
+9
18
3
Kakamas Juventus
6
5
0
1
16
5
+11
15
4
Benfica
9
5
0
4
12
12
0
15
5
Rasta Far Eagles
9
5
0
4
11
12
− 1
15
6
Olympics
8
3
3
2
18
14
+4
12
7
Kakamas United
7
3
1
3
12
11
+1
10
8
Upington Tornado
6
3
1
2
10
10
0
10
9
Tsantsabane Stars
8
2
2
4
9
11
− 2
8
10
Kakamas Sundowns
8
2
1
5
7
16
− 9
7
11
Postmasburg
7
1
0
6
3
17
− 14
3
12
Young Ones
9
0
1
8
11
30
− 19
1
Northern Cape Stream B
edit
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Gaza United
17
12
3
2
33
13
+20
39
Qualification for Northern Cape final
2
Pearls United
17
10
5
2
22
10
+12
35
3
Jacksa Spears
13
9
1
3
35
15
+20
28
4
United Rovers
18
7
4
7
33
32
+1
25
5
Mighty Moovers
16
7
3
6
32
34
− 2
24
6
G Stasie
14
6
4
4
25
18
+7
22
7
Mighty Reds
18
6
3
9
31
28
+3
21
8
SPU
16
6
1
9
27
29
− 2
19
9
Ocean Swallows
16
5
3
8
25
42
− 17
18
10
Blues
17
4
4
9
20
34
− 14
16
11
Destiny United
14
3
4
7
19
30
− 11
13
Relegation to the SAFA Regional League
12
Kimberley Saints
14
2
1
11
10
27
− 17
7
NC Professionals v Jacksa Spears
[ 10] [ 11]
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Army Rockets FC
21
15
4
2
50
11
+39
49
North West final
2
Kgositlile FC
21
12
5
4
40
26
+14
41
3
Lerumo Lions
21
11
7
3
32
23
+9
40
4
Cheeky Boys
21
11
6
4
36
21
+15
39
5
Thaba Tshwane
20
9
6
5
34
20
+14
33
6
Platinum City Rovers
20
9
4
7
24
21
+3
31
7
NW Signal
21
8
7
6
27
25
+2
31
8
Spain FC
21
5
8
8
27
20
+7
23
9
NWU Tawana FC
21
4
7
10
16
30
− 14
19
10
Bokone NW FC
20
4
3
13
15
28
− 13
15
11
Jack All Stars
21
3
2
16
17
50
− 33
11
12
Lethabong United
20
3
1
16
13
56
− 43
10
Relegation to Hollywoodbets Regional League
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Thames
5
4
1
0
11
1
+10
13
North West final
2
Stilfontein Real Hearts
5
3
2
0
6
3
+3
11
3
North West University
4
3
1
0
10
1
+9
10
4
Gm5 United
5
3
0
2
10
5
+5
9
5
Real Movers
5
3
0
2
11
9
+2
9
6
Milan
4
2
1
1
6
6
0
7
7
Belligerators
5
2
0
3
6
12
− 6
6
8
Montshioa Swallows
5
1
2
2
3
5
− 2
5
9
Nkamodira
5
1
1
3
5
7
− 2
4
10
Homeboys United
4
1
0
3
5
10
− 5
3
11
Indomitable Lions
5
1
0
4
5
10
− 5
3
12
Mahika Champions
4
0
0
4
0
9
− 9
0
Relegation to Hollywoodbets Regional League
North West University Soccer Institute v Army Rockets
[ 12]
Prior to the start of the season, in November 2025, Santos were expelled from the league. This came after SAFA had excluded Santos from the Nedbank Cup over outstanding financial obligations. Santos had taken the matter to court, and SAFA were interdicted from going ahead with the Nedbank Cup fixture without Santos, and the matter referred to arbitration. SAFA then expelled Santos from the league.[ 13] Santos appealed and won, and were reinstated in the league, expanding it to 25 teams.[ 14]
During the campaign, Sea Point Swifts were renamed Hope FC.[ 15]
Western Cape Stream A
edit
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Seapoint Swifts / Hope FC
24
16
5
3
43
17
+26
53
Qualification for Western Cape final
2
Hanover Park
24
14
6
4
37
27
+10
48
3
Cape Town Spurs
24
13
4
7
36
25
+11
43
4
Hout Bay United
24
13
3
8
40
18
+22
42
5
FN Rangers
24
12
5
7
37
27
+10
41
6
Santos
24
10
7
7
35
32
+3
37
7
Vasco da Gama
24
9
7
8
34
25
+9
34
8
Seaside Spurs
24
9
4
11
33
42
− 9
31
9
Ubuntu
24
7
5
12
33
41
− 8
26
10
Zizwe United
24
8
1
15
21
31
− 10
25
11
Young Bafana
24
6
7
11
25
35
− 10
25
12
Inter City
24
6
5
13
20
31
− 11
23
13
Junction Rovers
24
2
3
19
20
61
− 41
9
Western Cape Stream B
edit
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Diadora
22
14
5
3
60
28
+32
47
Qualification for Western Cape final
2
Ammar Soccer Academy
22
13
4
5
54
21
+33
43
3
Grassy Park United
22
12
5
5
43
17
+26
41
4
Royal Blues
22
11
6
5
34
27
+7
39
5
Maties F.C.
22
10
5
7
22
17
+5
35
6
Barcelona
22
9
6
7
33
36
− 3
33
7
Ubuntu Spartans
22
10
3
9
36
40
− 4
33
8
Batalions FC
22
9
4
9
34
34
0
31
9
Nanini Na All Stars
22
9
2
11
31
42
− 11
29
10
Mbekweni Cosmos
22
5
4
13
19
32
− 13
19
11
Bayhill United
22
3
4
15
18
42
− 24
13
12
Hillside
22
2
2
18
17
65
− 48
8
NWU Soccer Institute (North West)
La Masia (Gauteng)
Luthuli Brigades (Mpumalanga)
[ 17] [ 18]
Luthuli Brigades v NWU Soccer Institute
[ 19] [ 20]
Hope FC / Sea Point Swifts (Western Cape)
FC Ravens (Eastern Cape)
Mangaung Unite (Free State)
[ 17]
Hope FC / Sea Point Swifts v FC Ravens
FC Ravens v Mangaung Unite
Mangaung Unite v Hope FC / Sea Point Swifts
[ 19] [ 20]
NC Professionals (Northern Cape)
Mpheni Defenders (Limpopo)
Mkhambathi FC (KwaZulu-Natal)
[ 17]
NC Professionals v Mpheni Defenders
Mpheni Defenders v Mkhambathi FC
Mkhambathi FC v NC Professionals
[ 19] [ 20]
Mkhambathi FC v NWU Soccer Institute
NC Professionals v Hope FC / Sea Point Swifts
[ 21] [ 22]
Hope FC / Sea Point Swifts v NWU Soccer Institute
[ 23]
↑ Laduma, Soccer. "SAFA and Motsepe Foundation renew ABC Mostepe League partnership" . Soccer Laduma . Retrieved 27 December 2023 .
↑ "ABC Motsepe League" . South African Football Association . Retrieved 14 August 2025 .
↑ Munyai, Ofhani (23 July 2025). "Latest update on ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs court battle" . FARPost . Retrieved 14 August 2025 .
↑ Raophala, Mauwane (5 April 2026). "Thabo September reacts as Komani miss out on ABC Motsepe Playoffs" . FARPost ZA . Retrieved 7 April 2026 .
↑ Raophala, Mauwane (17 March 2026). "Unpaid grants row: SAFA reacts to Mathaithai FC's league withdrawal" . FARPost ZA . Retrieved 17 March 2026 .
↑ Raophala, Mauwane (4 May 2026). "La Masia secure ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs spot" . FARPost . Retrieved 13 May 2026 .
↑ "UMKHAMBATHI UNGOMPETHA BASE-KZN KWI-ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE" . Umusa News (in Zulu). 18 May 2026. Retrieved 7 June 2026 .
↑ Raophala, Mauwane (9 March 2026). "Match abandoned after penalty awarded in Limpopo ABC Motsepe League" . FARPost ZA . Retrieved 9 March 2026 .
↑ Paragraphs, Poisonous. "Mpheni Defenders are Limpopo champions" . A Polokwane-based media company that specialises in football content creation . Retrieved 27 May 2026 .
↑ Fredericks, Lance. "Destiny awaits: NC Professionals discover Group C path for national ABC Motsepe play-offs" . Diamond Fields Advertiser . Retrieved 7 June 2026 .
↑ Lith, Danie van der. "NC Pros hold their nerve in penalty shootout to edge Jacksa Spears for Northern Cape Motsepe League title at packed De Beers Stadium" . Diamond Fields Advertiser . Retrieved 7 June 2026 .
↑ "NWU Soccer Institute crowned North West ABC Motsepe League champions" . news.nwu.ac.za . 17 May 2026. Retrieved 27 May 2026 .
↑ Writer, FARPost (5 November 2025). "Santos expelled from the ABC Motsepe League" . Farpost . Retrieved 10 November 2025 .
↑ Gwegwe, Siseko (3 December 2025). "Santos win appeal after expulsion from ABC League" . Farpost . Retrieved 3 December 2025 .
↑ Jones, Seraj (2 October 2025). "Sea Point Swifts executives feel betrayed, Hope(less) after purchase of Second Division status" . No Bones With Jones . Retrieved 27 May 2026 .
↑ "Debutants Hope FC complete fairytale rise to Western Cape Motsepe League crown" . Southern Mail . 25 May 2026. Retrieved 27 May 2026 .
1 2 3 Raophala, Mauwane (26 May 2026). "ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs draw confirmed" . FARPost . Retrieved 27 May 2026 .
↑ "SAFA confirms ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs draw" . Foot-Africa.com . 26 May 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026 .
1 2 3 Raophala, Mauwane (2 June 2026). "ABC Motsepe National Playoffs: Joy for NC Professionals, Hope FC on Day 1" . FARPost . Retrieved 3 June 2026 .
1 2 3 Inqaku. "League - ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs Group A | Inqaku" . inqaku.com . Retrieved 4 June 2026 .
↑ Raophala, Mauwane (4 June 2026). "ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs semi-finalists confirmed" . FARPost . Retrieved 4 June 2026 .
↑ Raophala, Mauwane (6 June 2026). "NWU and Hope FC secure Motsepe Foundation Championship promotion" . FARPost . Retrieved 6 June 2026 .
↑ Raophala, Mauwane (7 June 2026). "Hope FC crowned ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs champions" . FARPost . Retrieved 7 June 2026 .