List of South African football club name changes


South African Football clubs regularly changed their names. Former Premier Soccer League Chief Executive Trevor Phillips complained that regular name changes and license buy outs was turning the PSL into a "mumbo-jumbo" league. Clubs in the top-tier were sometimes bought by businessman and renamed to have the same name as a club with previous history. In May 2008, this was partially resolved when governing body FIFA stepped in to prevent clubs purchasing licenses to play in a higher league.
In 2002, the league organisers opted to purchase two clubs; Free State Stars and Ria Stars and dissolve them to reduce fixture congestion. Each club was purchased for R8million. Free State Stars were originally known as Qwa Qwa Stars. Another club known as Free State Stars F.C. has been established since. The owner of the original Free State Stars purchased a club in the lower divisions Maholosiane and renamed it to Free State Stars.
The club Dynamos sold their PSL license to AmaZulu who were formerly known as Zulu Royals in 2006. A new team known as Dyanmos F.C. was established in the wake of the sale in a lower division.
Tembisa Classic sold their PSL license to Maritzburg United
Wits University renamed their Premier Soccer League team to Bidvest Wits in time for the 2006/07 season. Bidvest, a major services, distribution and trading company sponsored the club for several seasons before purchasing naming rights to the club.
Original Club NameNew Club NameDate ChangedReason for change
Khakhu Fast XIMapate Silver Stars1998
Mapate Silver StarsHP Silver Stars2000Larry Brookstone, the owner of Highlands Park, bought the majority of shares. Despite the new ownership, the club continued to play at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
HP Silver StarsSilver Stars200xName was shortened, when the Highlands Park junior team stopped as a nursery team for the club.
Silver StarsPlatinum StarsMay 2007Royal Bafokeng Nation entered as the club's sponsor in 2006 and relocated the team to play at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng. Club name also changed, when RBN bought 51% of the shares in May 2007.
Cape Town Spurs & Seven StarsAjax Cape Town1999Result of Merger after Ajax Amsterdam buy out
University of Port Elizabeth-FCK & Port Elizabeth TechnikonNelson Mandela Metropolitan University-FCK 2004Merger between universities.
Wits UniversityBidvest Wits2006
Qwa-Qwa StarsFree State Stars1999
AmazuluZulu Royals2003
Basotho TigersNorth West Tigers2004
PJ StarsM Tigers2007
HellenicBenoni Premier United2005
Pietersburg PillarsCity Pillars2005
UthukelaNathi Lions2005
Tembisa ClassicMaritzburg United2005
Manning RangersFidentia Rangers2006
Mabopane Young MastersFC AK2006
Vasco da GamaFC Cape Town2007
Benoni Premier UnitedThanda Royal Zulu10 October 2007
City PillarsMpumalanga Black Aces2007
Fidentia RangersIkapa Sporting2008
Bay UnitedPolokwane City2012Club had moved from Port Elizabeth to Polokwane.
Mbekweni CosmosChippa United2010New owner's nickname was 'Chippa'.