Which laws and SA variations apply in senior club and community rugby?
Rule- South Africa
- SA Rugby
- Club rugby
- Community rugby
- Senior
- World Rugby laws
- BokSmart
- 2026
- Referees
The World Rugby Laws of the Game apply, with these SA Rugby rules on top:
- Lowered tackle height and ball-carrier laws for all school and club rugby (since 2024).
- Scrum Law Modifications (updated January 2026) for adult rugby, U20 and above.
- Concussion Regulations (updated December 2025) and the Blue Card system for all amateur rugby.
- BokSmart regulations: referees, assistant referees and coaches must be certified, and must meet the minimum match-day safety standards.
- Protocol for Medical Personnel Entering the Field of Play.
Measures limited to elite rugby do not apply in community rugby. These include the 20-minute red card trial and the off-field Head Injury Assessment (HIA). Competition rules from your provincial union can add to these, for example on replacements.
Updated 22 Oct 2026