Tackle height laws: Fewer concussions in Varsity Cup earn thumbs up from SA Rugby

SA Rugby has praised referees, coaches and players in the Varsity Cup for their approach to the new tackle height laws that were introduced to the community game in the country this year.

The new laws, introduced to make the game safer at school and club level, were approved at a South African Rugby Union general council meeting late last year.

The most notable change was the lowering of the legal tackle height, with players having to make the hit at the base of the sternum or below. 

The Varsity Cup, which concluded with thrilling win for Shimlas over UCT on Monday night, was the first prominent competition in South Africa to implement these laws.

According to detailed averaged match data, the number of penalties for high tackles decreased from 14.5 per round to only 7.5 towards the end of the league phase of the competition.

Furthermore, ball carriers were more aware of dipping their heads lower than their hips, with penalties in this area declining from three in the opening round to zero during the past two rounds.

"As our Springbok head coach, Rassie Erasmus, said, 'tackling lower is coachable' and we'd like to thank and congratulate all coaches and players who have actively worked hard on correct, safe and effective tackle technique," SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said in a statement.

"In the same breath, I would also like to thank all the match officials for enforcing the changes. Projects such as these don't come without teething problems and, although we are aware of issues in some provinces, these are by far in the minority.

"All involved in the Varsity Cup have shown what can be achieved with a positive approach. Apart from fewer penalties for high tackles, and without having properly interrogated all the data yet,