South Africa adopts complete ELVs

Andre Watson, South Africa's refereeing manager, has announced, with excitement, that South African has received a dispensation from the International Rugby Board (IRB) to adopt the complete set of Experimental Law Variations (ELVs), the so-called Stellenbosch Laws.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said of this development: "The IRB is delighted that the South African Rugby Union [SARU] has agreed to trial the full inventory of ELVs.

"This is a very exciting development for the Game as this gives a further opportunity to conduct comprehensive on-field analysis of the ELVs from school level right through to the Currie Cup.

"Importantly, everything that is being trialled relates to the game's Playing Charter that recognises rugby as being a game for all shapes and sizes and that the contest for possession is of paramount importance. The IRB has no desire to change the very fabric of the Game, but recognises the need continually looks at the Laws to ensure that Rugby is as easy as possible to play, referee and understand,."

Trials conducted in South Africa will relate to the breakdown (tackle and post tackle area), the maul, the line-out, sanctions, kicking from inside the 22 metre line and the act of scoring in relation to the corner posts. The trials will also enable the IRB to conduct an in-depth injury surveillance audit of 20 clubs and schools, while extensive qualitative feedback will be obtained from players, coaches and referees.

People will have to concentrate. In the Super 14 there will be a partial introduction of the ELVs, but in the Currie Cup, the Vodacom Cup, all club rugby and all schools rugby the complete set of ELVs will be adopted.

Watson explains:

The reason for the difference is that SANZAR agreed to only certain ELV's, whereas the IRB will not allow South Africa to do the same. Their dispensation states clearly that we have to play all the ELV's or nothing.

b. In case you are wondering why we have gone this route, allow me to briefly explain:

i. We had two options namely: no ELV's or full ELV's.

ii. If we do not play full ELV's, we miss out:

1. There will be great confusion between Super 14 and the rest of rugby in South Africa - to the frustration of all involved and watching. (The Super 14 will be played with most of the ELVs - 80 per cent.)

2. The ELV's will be approved by the IRB for application by all countries for application in June or latest November.

3. We would have to play with the ELV's, either sometime this year or beginning next year.

iii. If we do play the ELV's, we would benefit:

1. We would be ready when the IRB introduces the ELVs.

2. We would not have to suffer the 'pain' later this year or early next year.

3. It will be easier to understand both Super 14 and all other rugby in South Africa as it is played.

The South Africa Referees are having their National Referees course next week from Tuesday till Friday and the referees will have complete clarity and understanding of how the ELV's will work only after having completed the course.

After that Watson will make the very best referees available to help the provinces.

A table of the differences between the curtailed ELVs for Super 14 and the full set of ELVs in domestic rugby in South Africa can be seen by CLICKING HERE!

The ELVs for domestic rugby in South Africa

General:

- Penalty kicks will only be given for offside, foul play and deliberate or persistent infringements. All other kicks will be free kicks

- Corner posts are no longer considered to be touch in-goal - players may place the ball for a try if in the air

- When a defending player passes or takes ball back into 22 if the ball is then kicked directly into touch the lineout is in line with where the ball was kicked, but if a tackle/ruck/maul is subsequently formed and the ball is then kicked directly into touch, the lineout is where the ball crossed the touchline

Tackle/Post-tackle area:

- The introduction of the offside line at the tackle to protect the ball when players play the ball outside of contact

- Players entering the tackle/post tackle area must do so through the gate

- If the ball is unplayable the side that did not take the ball into contact will receive a tap kick

- The ball may be played with feet or hands provided the player is on his feet

- Only two penalty offences: offside for not coming through gate; offside where defenders are in front of the last man on their side of the tackle/post tackle or deliberate or persistent infringements

- All free kicks have option of scrum or any type of kick

Maul:

- Defending players can pull down the maul

- Players joining maul must do so through the gate which is in current law but needed to be emphasised.

Line-out:

- A quick throw can be thrown straight or backwards towards the defenders goal-line, but not forward

- Receiver must stand two metres from the line-out

- Non-throwing hooker does not have to stand between the 5-metre line and touch line. He must conform to law wherever he stands

- No maximum number of players in line-out but must be minimum of two

- No team determines number in the line-out