What does rugby look like for U7 and younger?
Rule- South Africa
- SA Rugby
- Mini rugby
- U7-U12
- Primary school rugby
- World Rugby laws
- 2026
- Parents
Children aged 7 and younger play Tag Rugby, which is completely non-contact. SA Rugby's youth guidelines use the Tag Rugby Association's youth rules:
- 5 to 7 players on the field, in squads of up to 10.
- A game lasts 15 minutes, or two 7-minute halves, and starts with a tap-and-pass at halfway.
- Strictly no contact: no hand-offs, blocking, shielding tags or pulling clothing.
- A tag is the removal of one ribbon. The ball carrier must then pass within 3 seconds or 3 steps.
- After 2 tags, the third tag hands the ball to the other team.
- The ball must pass through three different players before a try is scored. A try is worth 1 point (2 for a girl in mixed games).
- No kicking, diving, spinning or jumping.
Added 21 Oct 2026