Do I need BokSmart certification to run touch?

It depends on your role. Under SA Rugby's BokSmart regulations (which apply at all levels of rugby):

• Assistant referees must be BokSmart certified and licensed to officiate (regulation 4).
• Normal touch judges who are not qualified referees and simply monitor the touchline are exempt (regulation 4.1).
• If an assistant referee is not certified, or cannot prove it, the match is abandoned for safety reasons unless a certified replacement who can prove certification is available (regulation 6).
• The referee's report, due within 72 hours, records each assistant referee's full name, contact number and BokSmart certification code (regulations 14 and 15).
• An assistant referee who officiates uncertified faces a minimum 3-match suspension, and stays suspended until certified (regulation 18.1).

Certification lasts two years and is renewed by completing the latest BokSmart course, with a two-month grace period after expiry (regulations 12 and 13).