2012–13 National First Division
The 2012–13 National First Division was played from September 2012 until May 2013, and is the second tier of South Africa's professional football. Polokwane City won the league, earning promotion to the 2013–14 Premiership. Santos and Mpumalanga Black Aces finished second and third respectively, qualifying for the 2012–13 PSL Playoff Tournament, which Mpumalanga Black Aces won, also earning them promotion to the 2013–14 Premiership.
Clubs played a varying number of games over the course of the season due to a number of boycotts which took place at the beginning of the season.
The results faced legal disputes by Thanda Royal Zulu and Chippa United which were eventually dismissed, and the trophy was only handed to Polokwane City at the start of the following season.
Promotion play-offs
| Date | Team 1 | Result F–A | Team 2 |
| 29 May 2013 | Chippa United | 0–0 | Santos |
| 1 June 2013 | Mpumalanga Black Aces | 1–0 | Chippa United |
| 20 June 2013 | Santos | 1–2 | Mpumalanga Black Aces |
| 23 June 2013 | Santos | 0–1 | Chippa United |
| 26 June 2013 | Chippa United | 0–0 | Mpumalanga Black Aces |
| 29 June 2013 | Mpumalanga Black Aces | 1–1 | Santos |