Which registration cards are checked before kick-off, and what if a player isn't eligible?

The check (NSL Handbook Rule 15.6): 60 minutes before kick-off, the referee and a representative of the other team inspect the registration cards of each team's players and club officials in the dressing room, unless the match commissioner and both teams agree another time.

No card or an invalid card (Rule 15.7): a club that cannot produce a player's registration card, or fields a player without a valid one, is charged with misconduct.

Ineligible player (Rule 58.2): if an ineligible player takes part in a match, meaning they are on the team sheet, on the pitch or on the bench at any time, the club forfeits the match and is fined at least R100,000. The player may also be sanctioned.

A player cannot play for a club until the League has registered them and issued a registration card (Rules 31.1 and 31.10). A professional player also needs a current medical certificate submitted at the start of each season, or they are ineligible until it is provided (Rule 33.2).