New Laws for South Africa
The new laws will come into effect in South Africa on 1 June 2009, in time for the start of the Currie Cup as 10 of the 13 experimental law variations become law.
ELVs adopted into Law
ELV 1 is now law: Law 6 – Assistant Referees able to assist Referees in any way the Referee requires
ELV 2 is now law: Law 19 – If a team puts the ball back in their own 22 and the ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch there is no gain in ground
ELV 3 is now law: Law 19 – A quick throw may be thrown in straight or towards the throwing team’s goal-line
ELV 4 is now law: Law 19 – The receiver at the line-out must be two metres back away from the line-out
ELV 5 is now law: Law 19 – The player who is in opposition to the player throwing in the ball must stand in the area between the five metre line and touch line and must be two metres from the line of touch and at least two metres from the line-out
ELV 6 is now law: Law 19 – line-out players may pre-grip a jumper before the ball is thrown in
ELV 7 is now law: Law 19 – The lifting of line-out jumpers is permitted
ELV 8 is now law: Law 20 – Introduction of an offside line five metres behind the hindmost feet of the scrum
ELV 9 is now law: Law 20 – Scrumhalf offside line at the scrum
ELV 10 is now law: Law 20 – The corner posts are no longer considered to be touch in goal except when the ball is grounded against the post
The three ELV’s not adopted into law are:
No numbers in a line out. The team throwing in the ball will continue to determine the maximum number the opponents may have in the line-out.
Pulling a maul down. Causing a maul to collapse is illegal.
The sanctions of Free Kick and not Penalty kick for infringements at the Break down other than off side and foul play.
For clarity purposes please note that:
Above 10 ELV’s are now law, plus
Maximum numbers at the line out is determined by the team throwing in the ball. New law 19.8 (b) and (c)
A maul may not be pulled down, collapsed or caused to collapse. New law 17.2 (e)
All Free kicks at the breakdown become Penalty kicks.
New law 19.8 (a), (b), (c)
(a) Minimum. At least two players from each team must form a line-out.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(b) Maximum. The team throwing in the ball decides the maximum number of players in the line-out.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
c) The opposing team may have fewer line-out players but they must not have more.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
New law 17.2 (e) :
e) A player must not intentionally collapse a maul. This is dangerous play.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
The difference between how the S14 was played in 2009 and the new laws
There were no number restrictions in the line out – NOW the maximum numbers is determined by the team throwing in the ball.
The maul was allowed to be pulled down – NOW it is not allowed.
The sanctions at breakdowns other than for foul play and off sides were Free kicks – Now it will be sanctioned by means of Penalty Kicks.
The difference between how the Vodacom Cup, club rugby and high school rugby was played in 2009 and the new laws
There were no number restrictions in the line out – NOW the maximum numbers is determined by the team throwing in the ball.
The maul was allowed to be pulled down – NOW it is not allowed.
Please take note that above laws will be applicable to all rugby played in South Africa from the 1 June 2009. This means Currie Cup, all Provincial, Under-21, Under-19, club and high school rugby including all Women’s rugby.
A DVD from the IRB explaining the hands in the ruck ruling and other examples will be available.
