What must be in place before kick-off for the match to go ahead?
Rule- South Africa
- SA Rugby
- Club rugby
- Senior
- World Rugby laws
- 2026
- Captains
Under SA Rugby's BokSmart regulations and BokSmart's minimum ("Green") safety standards for club matches:
- Your coach must show the referee proof of BokSmart certification at least 15 minutes before kick-off. If a coach is not certified at all, the match is abandoned. A certified coach without proof must stay away from the playing area.
- Home team: your management must prepare an emergency action plan and present it to the referee before the match. The referee confirms that the safety requirements are met before allowing play.
- At least one person trained in emergency field-side care (a first aider or paramedic) per match or field, plus a spinal board and harness and cervical collars and head blocks.
- Anyone other than players and qualified medical staff who wants to enter the playing area must show BokSmart certification.
A host club that lets a match go ahead with an uncertified coach or referee forfeits the match.
Added 22 Oct 2026