The South African Scoring System version 5 (SASS5) is the standardised national protocol for rapid biological assessment of river health using aquatic macroinvertebrates as biological indicators. The method involves kick-net sampling from three biotopes: stones (in-current and out-of-current), vegetation (marginal and aquatic), and gravel/sand/mud (GSM). Specimens are identified to family level and scored based on their sensitivity to water quality degradation — sensitive families (e.g., Heptageniidae, Perlidae) score high while tolerant families (e.g., Chironomidae, Oligochaeta) score low. Produces two metrics: the SASS5 score (sum of taxon scores) and the Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT). SASS5 data feeds into the MIRAI (Macro-Invertebrate Response Assessment Index) for determining ecological status. SASS5 results are interpreted against biological bands specific to each ecoregion. Developed through the River Health Programme, now integrated into the River EcoStatus Monitoring Programme.