Midlands 5 East (South) was a level 10 English Rugby Union league and level 5 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the southern part of the East Midlands region including clubs from Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and the occasional side from Cambridgeshire, all of whom played home and away matches throughout the season.

It was formed in 2006 as Midlands 6 East (South), changing name to Midlands 5 East (South) in 2009 following league restructuring.

Dwindling numbers of teams from year to year meant that the league was abolished at the end of the 2009-10 season with all teams being transferred into Midlands 4 East (South).

When this division was introduced in 2006 as Midlands 6 East (South) it contained the following teams: Originally known as Midlands 6 East (South), it was a tier 10 league along with its counterparts Midlands 6 East (North-East) and Midlands 6 East (North-West), which were introduced at tier 10 to replace the discontinued East Midlands/South Leicestershire 2, Derbyshire/North Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire/Lincolnshire leagues.

Promotion was to Midlands 5 East (South) and there was no relegation.