Do the TMO and the 20-minute red card apply in club and school rugby?
Rule- South Africa
- SA Rugby
- World Rugby
- TMO protocol
- Elite rugby
- Senior
- World Rugby laws
- 2026/27
- Match officials
Not automatically.
- TMO: under Law 6.15 a TMO is used only if the match organiser appoints one. Without one, the referee and assistant referees make every decision on the field.
- 20-minute red card replacement: Law 9.30 applies it to elite rugby only. World Rugby defines elite rugby as a professional level of rugby, determined by individual unions or competitions. Everywhere else, a player sent off may not be replaced.
World Rugby moved the 20-minute red card replacement and the role of the TMO from global law trials into full law from 1 July 2026, effective for new competitions starting after that date.
Added 21 Oct 2026