How many foreign players can a team have?

A foreign player is a footballer who is neither a South African citizen nor a foreign-born national with permanent residence under section 25 of the Immigration Act.

SAFA Competitions Uniform Rule 12

• Local Football Association level: any number may be registered, but such a team can't be promoted.
• Regional, Inter-Regional/Provincial and National leagues: a team may register no more than three foreign players.

Sasol League Regulations

• Teams may register up to three foreign players for the regional club championships and the inter-regional/provincial play-offs. Registered foreign players may sit on the bench or play.
• No foreign players may be selected for the Provincial U-19 squads chosen after Phase 2, and no team may use foreign players at the Inter-Provincial Tournament / National Championships.

Documents: a foreign player must produce a valid passport and a valid permit under the Immigration Act (for example a visitor's, study, business, relative's, work, corporate, exchange or permanent residence permit), or, for a refugee, a valid asylum seeker permit. A player previously registered abroad also needs an international transfer certificate.