[1] At first the NFL received stiff opposition from the SAFA, the amateur governing body which controlled the major football grounds in the county.

The teams that joined the league in 1959 were-Transvaal (9 teams)-Rangers, Germiston Callies, Arcadia Shepherds, Benoni United, Randfontein, Pretoria City, Brakpan United, Johannesburg City & Southern Park.

Natal (3 teams)-Durban City, Durban United & Maritzburg Celtic.

[2][3] The league was competitive during the apartheid era, and only white players were allowed to participate.

However a few NFL teams traveled to neighboring countries to play friendlies.1961 Durban City beat a multi-racial Salisbury Combined XI 8-2 at the Glamis Stadium.

Germiston Callies played a non-white team, Black Pirates in Maseru, Lesotho.

The first to do so was Vincent Julius, he represented Arcadia Shepherds in 1976 versus Highlands Park.

Highlands Park protested Julius' presence but the NFL allowed him to play.

The South African Home Office took no action having been convinced by Arcadia Shepherds that the story would be told all around the world and cast the ruling party in a bad light.

This was the first time that two professional teams from England and South Africa had played against one another.

The Spurs squad included Danny Blanchflower, Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Smith, Maurice Norman, Len White & Tony Marchi.

C.A.Cerro also played Western Province-17 July 1964 & South Africa XI, Rand Stadium.

A N.F.L XI in Durban plus Western Province @ Hartleyvale, which Real Madrid won 4-0.

The Real Madrid squad included Ferenc Puskas, Santamaria @ Gento.

Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany) played Addington, Highlands Park, Rand Stadium.