# 2011–12 National First Division

The 2011–12 National First Division was the season from September 2011 until May 2012 of South Africa's second tier of professional football.
For the first time since the 2003–04 National First Division season, all teams were placed in one unified league table. Previously the competition had been split into two 'streams'.

## Summary

At the conclusion of the season Tuks FC secured their promotion to the Premiership after topping the table. Second-placed Chippa United and third-placed Thanda Royal Zulu were joined by Santos of the Premiership in a three team promotion and relegation playoff. At the conclusion of the playoffs, Chippa United, only established in 2010, secured their promotion to the Premiership, in the process relegating Santos to the National First Division. This was Chippa United's second successive promotion as they had only just earned promotion to the National First Division.
Atlie FC and Carara Kicks were relegated at the end of the season. Carara Kicks were only relegated after being deducted points for fielding an ineligble player, sparing Dynamos.

## League table

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| 1 | Tuks FC (C, P) | 30 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 45 | 25 | +20 | 55 | Promotion to Premiership |
| 2 | Chippa United | 30 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 46 | 29 | +17 | 51 | Qualification to 2011–12 PSL Playoff Tournament |
| 3 | Thanda Royal Zulu | 30 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 34 | 28 | +6 | 50 | Qualification to 2011–12 PSL Playoff Tournament |
| 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 30 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 44 | 37 | +7 | 49 | |
| 5 | FC AK | 30 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 43 | +2 | 45 | |
| 6 | African Warriors | 30 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 43 | 36 | +7 | 43 | |
| 7 | Vasco da Gama | 30 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 51 | 45 | +6 | 43 | |
| 8 | FC Cape Town | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 38 | 36 | +2 | 39 | |
| 9 | United FC | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 46 | 45 | +1 | 39 | |
| 10 | Bay United | 30 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 32 | 40 | −8 | 35 | |
| 11 | Sivutsa Stars FC | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 39 | 47 | −8 | 34 | |
| 12 | Witbank Spurs | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 32 | 42 | −10 | 34 | |
| 13 | Mpumalanga Black Aces | 30 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 33 | 41 | −8 | 33 | |
| 14 | Dynamos | 30 | 9 | 5 | 16 | 37 | 49 | −12 | 32 | |
| 15 | Atlie FC (R) | 30 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 42 | −18 | 28 | Relegation to Vodacom League |
| 16 | Carara Kicks (R) | 30 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 42 | 46 | −4 | 20 | Relegation to Vodacom League |
* ↑ Eighteen points deducted

## PSL playoff tournament

The teams that finished second and third during the 2011-12 National First Division season were joined by the team that finished 15th in the Premiership season in a 3-team promotion and relegation playoff called the PSL Playoff Tournament.

### Participants

| Team | League | Pos |
| Santos | 2011–12 Premiership | 15th |
| Chippa United | 2011–12 National First Division | 2nd |
| Thanda Royal Zulu | 2011–12 National First Division | 3rd |

### Format

The 3 teams participated in a mini-league in which they played one another twice (home and away) with log points being awarded for winning a match (3 points) and drawing a match (1 point). At the conclusion of the mini-league phase the team that was in first place would either earn or maintain their place in the Premiership for the 2012–13 season. If the team that finished 15th in the Premiership was unable to win the mini-league, they were relegated to the National First Division for the 2012-13 season.

### Playoff table

At the conclusion of the PSL Playoff Tournament Chippa United had topped the mini-league after defeating Santos 4-3 in the final game, earning their place in the PSL for the 2012-13 season. As they were unable to win the mini-league, Santos failed to maintain their place in the PSL and were relegated to the National First Division for the 2012-13 season.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| 1 | Chippa United (P) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 8 | Promotion to 2012–13 Premiership |
| 3 | Santos (R) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 4 | Relegation to 2012–13 National First Division |
| 2 | Thanda Royal Zulu | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 4 | |

### Results
## Player eligibility dispute

Carara Kicks fielded a player who had not been properly registered by the club and appeared in league games. As a result, Carara Kicks had 18 points removed from their total and were relegated.