SA Rugby task team to consider lowering tackle height: 'An important issue for the game'

SA Rugby has established a task team to consider World Rugby's recommendations on lowering tackle height in schools and club rugby.

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This comes after World Rugby last month recommended reducing the permitted tackle height to below the sternum (middle of the chest area) in the community game.

SA Rugby said at the time it would discuss the possible implementation of experimental law changes in amateur rugby.

Earlier this week, the task team established was part of a ground-breaking amateur workshop where the governing body consulted with its 15 member unions on various key topics. 

"This workshop was the first opportunity to engage with our most important stakeholders, who are the leaders of the community game at provincial level, which included a representative of the SA Schools Rugby Association," Rian Oberholzer, SA Rugby's chief executive, said in a statement. 

Oberholzer added: "Professor Ross Tucker of UCT, who advises World Rugby on such matters, made a presentation to the workshop on the science behind the recommendations, which will help reduce the risk of head and neck injuries, and increase the focus on player safety and safeguarding. There were also presentations by Clint Readhead SA Rugby's Senior Manager in the Medical Department and Dr Wayne Viljoen, SA Rugby's Senior Manager for Rugby Safety. 

"This is an important issue for the game and the task team will report back from their considerations and how they believe South African rugby should best respond to the recommendation."

If the new proposed changes are approved by the World Rugby Council in May, national unions will be given the choice of opting-in to a global trial.

Meanwhile, the