Cheslin Kolbe injury: Overenthusiastic or plain stupidity?
SPOTLIGHT: The host broadcaster during the Springboks’ encounter with the BaaBaas has egg all over their collective faces.
Bok legend Cheslin Kolbe was injured in the opening minutes of South Africa’s 80-31 rout of the Barbarian in Port Elizabeth at the weekend.
No, it was not an opponent, but a television cameraman who decided to get ‘up close and personal’ with Kolbe as he lined up a conversion kick.
Whether he was overenthusiastic or it was just plain stupidity is not certain, but running up to a player on the playing field with a solid metal frame is certainly not a good idea.
It is also in contravention of World Rugby’s laws, which prohibit television crews, cameramen, or non-match officials from entering the field of play during live game time.
What is more concerning is that the cameraman did not even stop to check on the damage he caused.
After treatment for a cut to his face, Kolbe was able to continue, but the outcome could have been far more catastrophic.
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According to World Rugby’s laws, there are specific restrictions for cameramen.
Camera operators are expressly forbidden from stepping onto the field of play (the field of play itself and the in-goal areas) while the game is live.
According to World Rugby Law One, a barrier that protects a minimum five-meter perimeter around the field.
Broadcasters and field-side personnel must operate in the designated areas outside the touchlines and dead-ball lines. Pitch-side equipment and associated cables must be situated so they pose zero danger to players or match officials.
Under World Rugby Regulation 13, broadcasting rights are entirely governed by the Host Union.
World Rugby certainly does not permit cameramen to run onto the field of play while the game is in active progress.
* @JanDKrugby has reached out to the broadcaster for comment!
