Share

SARU trials new safety rules

Pretoria - The South African Rugby Union will trial new IRB player safety protocols in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division, which kicks off tonight when the Vodacom Blue Bulls host GWK Griquas at Loftus Versfeld (kick off 19h10).

Pitch Side Concussion Assessment (PSCA) Protocols will be in place as part of a global initiative designed to further enhance player welfare with improved concussion management of elite players.

The PSCA works like the blood bin. Players suspected to be suffering from concussion are removed from the field to take a standardised objective assessment test. If a “suspected concussion” is confirmed IRB Regulation 10 applies and the player is removed from the remainder of the match. The test takes no more than five minutes.

The recommendation to remove the player can be made by the referee, the independent match day doctor or the player’s team doctor.

The PCSA was successfully applied in the recent Junior World Cup in South Africa. Five players underwent the test; two were cleared to return to play and the other three were permanently replaced.

The temporary replacement for a player undergoing the PSCA protocols may not take penalty kicks or conversion kicks at goal during the five minutes he is allowed to be on the field. When the replacement becomes permanent he may kick at goal as normal.

IRB Chief Medical Officer Martin Raftery said the medical teams of rugby would play a key role.

“For the first time we are able to deliver a standardised procedure of assessment that replaces an on-field ‘on the run’ assessment and is based on medical best practice. It provides an extra layer of protection for our players and delivers the ability for the match doctor and the team doctor to make an assessment in a controlled environment,” he said.

"It is important to remember that these trials will only operate at the elite level of the game where there are experienced doctors present.”

SARU’s current BokSmart and IRB concussion regulations and guidelines apply for players at the non-elite level.
If a player is clearly concussed or demonstrates signs and symptoms of possible concussion – then a concussion is suspected and the player must be removed for the remainder of the match.

The ‘Return To Play’ guidelines must be implemented before this player is allowed to return to contact/match rugby.
These guidelines and much more information on concussion and concussion management can be found on the BokSmart website www.boksmart.com or on the IRB’s website under Player Welfare www.irb.com.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE