National League 2 South

National League 2 South

Sport	Rugby union
Instituted	1987
Ceased	2022
Number of teams	16
Country	England
Holders	Esher (2nd title) (2021–22 promoted to National One)
Most titles	Barking Henley Hawks Cambridge Esher (2 titles)
Website	clubs.rfu.com

National League 2 South (known before September 2009 as National Division Three South) was a level four league in the English rugby union system until the end of season 2021–22. It was one of two leagues at this level, with its counterpart, National League 2 North, covering the north of England. The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following reorganisation by the Rugby Football Union. The champions were promoted to National League 1. The runner-up play in a promotion play-off with the runner-up of National League 2 North; the team with the best record having home advantage. The bottom three teams were relegated, to either South West Premier or London & South East Premier.^[1] Esher are the current and final champions.

The 2019–20 season ended before all the matches were completed because of the coronavirus pandemic and the RFU used a best playing record formula to decide the final table.^[2] Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) approved a new structure for the National Leagues from the 2022–23 season. Along with National League 1 and National League 2 North the size of the leagues at levels 3 and 4 are reduced to 14 teams (previously 16), there will be a two-week break over Christmas and protected weekend breaks through the season. The competition structure will be reviewed every three years.^[3] As part of the restructure a third league was created at level four and most of the National League 2 South teams were placed into either National League 2 East or National League 2 West.^[4]