How many replacements may I use, and how many front-row players must I have?

Question

Accepted Answer

SA Rugby's February 2025 replacements format for high and primary school rugby:

Squad minimum: a squad of 23 must include 6 front-row players, and you must be able to replace the loosehead prop, hooker and tighthead prop at the first time of asking.

Option 1 (if both schools agree beforehand)

Unlimited replacements.
The bench must include a suitably trained loosehead, tighthead and hooker.
A player who was tactically replaced may come back on.

Option 2 (league matches, or where the schools don't agree)

8 replacements (high school only), three of whom must be a suitably trained loosehead, tighthead and hooker. A team with only two front-row replacements, or a squad of 22, may name only 7 replacements.
or 12 rolling replacements (the format used in primary school), three of whom must be trained front-row players. A tactically replaced player may come back on.

Competition rules can set which option applies. Any other deviation needs prior approval from the SA Rugby Community Referee Manager.