Positive Early Signs on Impact of Lowered Tackle-Height Laws

South African rugby is showing encouraging early outcomes following the introduction of the lowered tackle-height laws, with initial data indicating a positive shift in reducing the severity and long-term impact of tackle-related catastrophic head, neck and spine injuries, SA Rugby announced on Thursday.

These laws, applied in South African rugby, are supported by 17 years of tackle-event data on serious and catastrophic injuries.

Clint Readhead, SA Rugby’s General Manager: Medical, said early insights into changing player behaviour and injury patterns locally point towards meaningful progress in key safety areas.

“Most notably, there has been a reduction in permanent or life-altering injuries among both tacklers and ball carriers,” said Readhead.

“Among tacklers, most traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and acute spinal cord injuries (ASCI) were classified as ‘near misses’, with players avoiding permanent harm, an improvement on historical trends where such injuries more often had lasting consequences.”

Banks Yantolo, General Manager of Referees at SA Rugby, said: “We’ve spent a lot of time working with our Referee Panels and Societies to ensure these laws are applied strictly and consistently – that’s what makes them effective. If we don’t manage this properly, we limit their ability to shift player behaviour and deliver lasting player safety benefits.”

According to Dr Wayne Viljoen, SA Rugby’s Senior Manager Rugby Safety, improved player behaviour, particularly among ball carriers, is a key positive trend.

“More ball carriers are entering contact in upright positions rather than excessively low or horizontal forward-bent postures, which have been strongly linked to increased injury risk,” said Dr Viljoen.

“This shift aligns directly with the intent of the South African variation of tackle-law changes and supports safer outcomes for both tacklers and ball carriers.

“Where permanent injuries have occurred in tacklers, these have largely been linked to technical errors rather than the laws themselves. These include poor head placement (e.g. head on the wrong side) and unsafe contact points such as knee-height tackles.

“This reinforces the need for continued coaching on safe technique—specifically targeting the ‘safe zone’ of the ball carrier, between mid-torso and mid-thigh, while avoiding the knees. Initial data also highlights, that lower tackles performed within the new tackle-height framework was associated with better injury outcomes.”

Data shows that injury numbers remain low for ball carriers. Serious cases were typically linked to illegal high tackles, low ball-carry positions, atypical scenarios, or factors unrelated to the law changes, again underlining the importance of adherence.

Deon van Blommestein, SA Rugby’s Senior Manager for Community Referees, added: “While the trajectory is positive, consistent application across all levels of the game remains a work in progress. Embedding these changes across players, coaches and referees nationwide will take time.

“We would like to urge match officials at all levels of the community game to step up and lead this change. Set the standard early and make it clear that illegal actions won’t be tolerated. If we don’t, players won’t adapt – and we’ll be fighting a losing battle.”

Dr Viljoen urged all relevant stakeholders to visit the Tackle-Height Resource, complete the Tackle-Height Change Education Module, and review BokSmart 8.

“These are essential to ensure the laws are coached, refereed, and implemented properly,” he said.

“In summary, early evidence strongly supports the direction of the lowered tackle-height laws. Improved behaviours, reduced injury severity, and clearer identification of risk factors provide a strong foundation for making rugby safer. Continued focus on strict law application, quality coaching, and sound player technique will be key to sustaining this progress.”