Playing times for school

Playing times for Schools

SA Referees have laid down the playing time for school matches, from high schools to primary schools.


These times are laid down, to be altered only with SARU permission for national tournaments.


High School Times


These accord with the Under-19 Variations in the Law book.


The time for high school matches, is playing time. Stoppages for injuries and substitution are not playing time and so an allowance is made for them


1. 1st XVs (Under-19)


Playing time: 70 minutes

Sin bin: 10 minutes playing time.


2. Other (Under-19) Teams


These are for matches above Under-16


Playing time: up to 35 minutes a half

Sin bin: 5 minutes playing time


3. Under-16


Playing time: 30 minutes per half

Sin bin: 5 minutes playing time


4. Under-15 and Under-14


Playing time: 25 minutes per half

Sin bin: 5 minutes playing time


Primary Schools


5. Under-13


Running time: 25 minutes per half.

Injury time: maximum of 5 minutes per match

Half-time: maximum of five minutes


6. Under-12, Under-11, Under-10, Under-9


Running time: 20 minutes per half

Injury time: maximum of 5 minutes per match

Half-time: maximum of five minutes