The WPRFU has confirmed a new competition structure for the 2026 season, introducing adjustments across the Super Leagues and Regional Leagues aimed at improving competitiveness, progression, and long-term alignment ahead of the planned expansion in 2027.
The 2026 season will see Super Leagues A, B and C expanded to 16 teams each. This follows rankings after the 2025 club rugby season and ensures greater depth across the top tiers. Despite the expansion, the core league format remains unchanged, with each Super League contested over a single round of 15 matches. The team finishing top of each league will be crowned the league winner.
A key adjustment affects Super League C. The three clubs that were originally set to be relegated to the regions for 2026 will remain in Super C. They are joined by the winner, runner-up and playoff winner from the 2025 Promotion League. At the end of the 2026 season, the bottom four teams in Super League C will be relegated to the regional leagues. However, should the Paarl Region winner decline promotion to the new Super League D, only the bottom three teams will be relegated.
Following the completion of league fixtures, each Super League will also host a separate Top 8 and Bottom 8 knockout competition. While these playoffs add competitive value and additional matches, they will not influence seeding for the 2027 season.
All clubs participating in the Super Leagues are required to field a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Under-20 team. The Super League season is scheduled to begin on 28 March 2026 for clubs that have confirmed availability.
At regional level, the structure has been streamlined into four leagues: Southern, Central, Paarl and Northern. Clubs have been allocated to regions based on criteria determined by the Union. Regional competitions will be played on a double round, home-and-away basis, with the top team in each region crowned league winners and promoted to Super League D. Regional leagues will commence on 21 March 2026, and clubs are required to field at least a 1st and 2nd team, with 3rd teams optional.
The 2026 season also serves as a seeding year for the introduction of Super League D in 2027. Final league positions across Super Leagues and regions will determine placements in the four-tier Super League structure next season. This creates a clear performance-based pathway between leagues and regions.