In the history of South African football—especially in the townships, locations, or urban cities—we all started with that “trap and push” in small, enclosed, half-ground spaces. This is where soccer stars like Theophilus Doctor “16V” Khumalo, Steven Pienaar, and current Mamelodi Sundowns player Khuliso Mudau began their journeys. Now, UnderGroundSoccer is rewriting the rules of the beautiful game, defying the odds to introduce a unique street tournament with shifting play courts and challenging conditions.
In traditional football, the game is played by two teams of 11 players on a rectangular field measuring between 100–115 metres in length and 64–75 metres in width. UGS is breaking traditional norms by introducing a unique 3v3 street format with no fixed playing pattern. The game takes place in the streets, in warehouses, on the rooftop of a 15th-storey abandoned building in the city center, or even on level 3 of a mall parking lot. Each team is allowed a maximum of four players—three on the pitch and one substitute—whereas in traditional football, coaches are permitted to make up to five substitutions during a match.
While traditional football forbids teams from playing without a designated goalkeeper, the opposite is true in the 3v3 street game—having a goalkeeper is not allowed. At its core, this version of the game is about individual skill, unique talent, creativity, tricks, and flicks, whereas traditional football emphasises teamwork and collective effort.
In traditional football, matches last 90 minutes. UGS operates on a completely different terrain, where each team plays every opponent in the league with the goal of earning maximum points. With four courts at every venue, the games are fast-paced—8 minutes per court, totaling 40 minutes—and each game features different rules and unique playing objects. By entering a league as a club, teams unlock new levels, and progressing to Level 5 earns an invitation to compete in exclusive VIP tournaments. These tournaments grant access to new courts and experiences. The top teams at each venue will compete in secret tournaments, and the top two teams per venue will qualify for the first-street pro league.
In traditional football, a win earns three points—but UGS has flipped the script on both the playing format and point system, which varies by court and level. Court 1 is The Hex, where a win earns two points and a draw earns one point, based on both goals and targets. Court 2, Double Trouble, follows the same scoring system as The Hex. Court 3 is Inside Out, where a win is worth four points and a draw earns two. Court 5, known as Squash Ball, offers the highest reward—a win earns five points, and a draw earns three.
In traditional football, a goal counts for one point, but UGS flips the script—each goal earns two points. Mzansi’s well-known diss, the “e’Shibobo/nutmeg/panna”, isn’t just flair—it’s a punishable offense with the player leaving the field for 30 seconds. If another player is dissed during that 30-second period, he doesn’t have to leave the field, but his team is penalised with a 2-point deduction. Some games even offer an extra bonus point. In UGS, missing a penalty also results in a 2-point deduction. Unlike traditional football, where the referee punishes offenses with yellow or red cards depending on the severity, UGS operates by its own unique set of rules.
A dangerous foul or handball anywhere on the court results in a 3-point deduction and a penalty awarded to the opposing team. Not wearing your armband leads to a 4-point deduction—one point per court. If a player is sent off after committing two fouls, the team loses 5 points. Swearing at referees or opponents also results in a 5-point deduction and immediate dismissal from the game. Two send-offs in one night lead to a 10-point deduction, and the player is banned from participating in any further games that night.
