What are the tackle height and ball-carrier rules in school rugby?

Q: What are the tackle height and ball-carrier rules in school rugby?

SA Rugby's lowered tackle-height laws have applied to all school and club rugby since 2024. They do not apply to senior professional rugby. Tackler (open play) The maximum legal tackle height is below the base of the sternum. Target the belly and thighs, and avoid the knees. A tackle below the knees is legal only with a clear wrap of the arms around the legs; an attempted wrap is not enough. Double tackles and second tacklers must also tackle at or below the base of the sternum. Between the shoulder line and the base of the sternum: mainly penalty kicks. Above the shoulder line: the Head Contact Process applies, with yellow and red cards. Ball carrier (open play) May brace and lower their body, but may not run with the body fully bent or horizontal, with the head lower than the hips, or lead head-first into contact. This is sanctioned with a penalty kick, rising to cards for head-to-head contact. No "cannon-arm": using a hand on the ground to propel into contact at a pick-and-drive. A pick-and-drive in a low body position is allowed. A latcher may bind on only once the carrier has made contact with a defender. At U13, the Primary School Law Variations also set the tackle height below the base of the sternum and above the knees (penalty kick) and ban the sling tackle.

Question

Accepted Answer

SA Rugby's lowered tackle-height laws have applied to all school and club rugby since 2024. They do not apply to senior professional rugby.

Tackler (open play)

The maximum legal tackle height is below the base of the sternum. Target the belly and thighs, and avoid the knees.
A tackle below the knees is legal only with a clear wrap of the arms around the legs; an attempted wrap is not enough.
Double tackles and second tacklers must also tackle at or below the base of the sternum.
Between the shoulder line and the base of the sternum: mainly penalty kicks. Above the shoulder line: the Head Contact Process applies, with yellow and red cards.

Ball carrier (open play)

May brace and lower their body, but may not run with the body fully bent or horizontal, with the head lower than the hips, or lead head-first into contact. This is sanctioned with a penalty kick, rising to cards for head-to-head contact.
No "cannon-arm": using a hand on the ground to propel into contact at a pick-and-drive.
A pick-and-drive in a low body position is allowed. A latcher may bind on only once the carrier has made contact with a defender.

At U13, the Primary School Law Variations also set the tackle height below the base of the sternum and above the knees (penalty kick) and ban the sling tackle.