1996–97 National First Division
| Season | 1996–97 | 
|---|---|
| Champions | Black Leopards, (Northern) Tembisa Classic (Southern) Santos (Western Cape) African Wanderers (Natal/Eastern Cape)  | 
1997–98 →   | |
The 1996–97 National First Division was the 1st season of the second tier of South African soccer since the reorganisation in 1996.
It consisted of 76 clubs in four streams; Northern, Southern, Western Cape and Natal/Eastern Cape, with the winners being Black Leopards, (Northern), Tembisa Classic (Southern), Santos (Western Cape) and African Wanderers (Natal/Eastern Cape) respectively.
At the end of the season, the division was reduced to two stream of 20 teams each.