World Rugby BANS the famous move of the Springboks in the World Cup

World Rugby has implemented three legal changes that will come into effect on July 1, aiming to improve the entertainment value of the game while addressing safety concerns.

In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, the World Rugby Council confirmed it had approved the amendments to improve ball movement, expand attacking options and safeguard player welfare.

The new amendments specifically address the offside rules for kicks in open play (also known as Dupont’s Law), refine the options available on free kicks and prohibit the ‘crocodile spin’ tackle technique. These changes represent the latest phase of World Rugby’s “Shape of the Game” action plan designed to grow rugby’s audience by increasing accessibility and embracing innovation.

SPRINGBOKS EXPLOITATION OF FREE KICK LAWS STOPPED

Perhaps the most significant changes are to the laws regarding free throws.

For free kicks, teams can no longer opt for a scrum. Instead, they should hit or kick the ball to keep the game moving and create more attacking opportunities while reducing dead time on set pieces.

During the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, Damian Willemse made the bold decision to call a scrum after being tagged in the Springboks’ 22 against France. It was a decision that took most spectators by surprise, as players usually kick distance or touch and run from that position.

However, it was a strategic move that paid off as the Springboks won a penalty on the next set-piece, allowing them to get out of the danger zone with a free play and still retain possession.

WORLD RUGBY MODIFIES OUT OF PLAY LAW

The offside law has been rewritten to prevent players from being put into play when the opponent catches a kicked ball and runs five meters or passes. Players on offside must now actively attempt to retreat, creating more space for the opposing team to move the ball and reducing the number of back-and-forth “tennis kicks” that often slow down play.

This change will close the loophole that caused incidents where players received a ball but refused to move forward, effectively giving them time to kick the ball downfield in a “king of the field” style from one side to the other.

PROHIBITED SPECIFIC COOLING LAW

The ‘crocodile roll’, a tackling technique that involves rolling or lifting a player, has been banned to protect player safety and limit injuries. Penalizing this maneuver reinforces the importance of responsible tackling in rugby, World Rugby said.

The law will help prevent some of the season-ending (and potentially career-ending) leg injuries that have resulted from the controversial practice.

ADDITIONAL CHANGES TO LAWS IMPLEMENTED BY WORLD RUGBY

In addition to these legal changes, World Rugby is running six closed legal tests across all its competitions. This will include events such as the U20 Championship and Pacific Nations Cup.

These trials, open to participation by national unions, include a revised red card sanctioning system that allows for the replacement of a player after 20 minutes and a 30-second shot clock for scrum and lineout setups.

Other innovations include ensuring the scrum-half is not contestable at the base of a ruck or maul (increasing attacking options by allowing a mark inside the 22 meter line from a restart) and making lineout play more fluid by allowing it to continue if the ball is not thrown straight but the competence is indisputable.

The amendments to the law and testing are part of a comprehensive review by World Rugby to address recurring issues such as slow ball movement and inconsistent use of technology. With specialist working groups exploring areas such as tackle height and fan experience, World Rugby says it aims to broaden rugby’s appeal with simplified presentation and terminology that will appeal to younger audiences.

Unions and competitions have the option to implement the law trial package.