If you have not yet completed the SA Rugby online Tackle Height Module or downloaded the educational document, we strongly encourage you to do so.

These resources provide essential guidance for coaches on how to prepare, coach, and train players to adapt to the new laws, and assists referees in correctly interpreting, officiating, and sanctioning infringements.

Deon van Blommestein, SA Rugby’s Community Referee Manager, said: “We wholly support and endorse these new tackle-laws. After one year of implementation there remain some adjustments needed by the referees to get this right more often.

“We are in this journey together and remain committed to make this work. So, all referees, whether at schools or clubs, get yourself properly aligned with what is required, and implement these new laws properly and consistently in all matches you are responsible for.”

Ian Schwartz, General Manager: Participation & Development at SA Rugby, said that participation and sustainable growth of the game is paramount for rugby.

“However, we must ensure the safety of these players while doing so,” said Schwartz.

“To equip players with the necessary skills and techniques to play the game safely, it is critical to coach this properly. All coaches involved in the amateur game, at clubs and schools, have a duty of care to prepare their players sufficiently to play safely within these new tackle-laws”.

According to Prof Ross Tucker, a sports scientist with World Rugby, the results from the lower tackle height trials around the world have been really positive so far.

“We’ve seen evidence of changes in the behaviour of tacklers – they’re bent more often, upright less often, and as a consequence, the highest risk head impacts are happening less frequently,” said Prof Tucker.

“But there’s work to be done, not only to entrench and amplify those good behaviours, but also to manage what ball carriers are doing in the tackle.  SARU have implemented positive law changes to address this exact concern, and we hope the constant positive pressure continues to produce results”.

Clint Readhead, General Manager: Medical at SA Rugby, added: “It takes time for an intervention as big as this one to show major changes in the game’s injury profile. It requires many moving parts to work together; especially with the players, who must adapt.

“Although still early days, initial observations have been positive that the game is moving in the right direction with these law changes.”

Complete your online tackle-height training and education to boost both player safety and rugby performance in our game. The BokSmart 8 Rugby Safety Course has additional supporting material with regards to these tackle-laws.

Coaches, prepare your players properly to play within these laws. Referees, be strict, penalise and sanction accordingly. Players, put in the required strength, conditioning and technical work, and train, play, and adapt properly to these laws.