What may a ball carrier not do, and how do I sanction it?

SA Rugby's ball-carrier laws, in force for school and club rugby since 2024, apply in open play:

The ball carrier may brace for contact and lower their body position, and may pick-and-drive in a low body position. The ball carrier must not:

• run with the body fully bent or horizontal
• run with the head lower than the hips
• lead head-first into contact
• dip late and low with the head leading into contact
• use the "cannon-arm" technique (going to ground early to propel themselves forward into contact)

The ball carrier must keep the tackler's "safe zone" (below the base of the sternum) accessible.

Sanctions

• Denying the tackler a safe, legal tackle, without head-to-head contact: penalty kick.
• Head-to-head contact: the current Head Contact Process applies, and it can escalate to yellow or red cards.
• Apply the usual mitigation when the carrier slips, dips to catch a low pass, or loses their footing before contact.

A latcher may bind onto a pick-and-drive carrier only once the carrier has made contact with a defender.