What may a club touch judge not signal or decide?
Rule- South Africa
- SA Rugby
- Club and schools rugby
- All ages
- Assistant referees
- Touch judges
- World Rugby laws
- 2026
- Match officials
A touch judge (anyone not appointed as an assistant referee by the match organiser, such as a club member provided by a team) signals only:
- touch and touch-in-goal, where the throw is and which team throws in
- whether a kick at goal is successful
A touch judge does not:
- signal foul play. Only an appointed assistant referee may do this, and only if the match organiser has authorised it (Law 6.27a).
- enter the field to report anything. Only an assistant referee may come on to report foul play, at the next stoppage and when the referee allows (Law 6.23).
- decide whether the throw-in came from the correct place. That is the referee's call (Law 6.26d).
A touch judge stays in touch throughout, except when standing behind the posts for a kick at goal (Law 6.22).
Updated 21 Oct 2026