# RuckBee > RuckBee is a South African rugby website. It explains the 21 Laws of the Game in plain English, with a glossary and referee signals, and it covers pro rugby fixtures, results and standings and South African schoolboy 1st XV rugby. RuckBee is an independent site and is not affiliated with World Rugby. The laws are based on the official World Rugby 2026 Laws of the Game. Fixtures, results and standings come from third-party data providers and can be delayed or wrong. Check the official source when accuracy matters. The full text of every law and glossary term is in one file at https://www.ruckbee.co.za/llms-full.txt. ## Laws of the Game - [All 21 laws](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/): Index of the laws, each in plain English and section by section. - [Law 1: The Ground](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/1/): Defines the dimensions, markings, goal posts, and flag posts of a rugby field. - [Law 2: The Ball](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/2/): Specifies the size, shape, material, and air pressure of a rugby ball. - [Law 3: Team](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/3/): Covers team size, replacements, uncontested scrums, and player welfare processes. - [Law 4: Players' Clothing](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/4/): Defines what players must wear, what is permitted, and what is prohibited. - [Law 5: Time](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/5/): Governs match duration, half-time, time-keeping, and conditions for ending a half. - [Law 6: Match Officials](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/6/): Defines the roles and duties of the referee, assistant referees, touch judges, and TMO. - [Law 7: Advantage](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/7/): Allows play to continue after an infringement if the non-offending team benefits. - [Law 8: Scoring](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/8/): Defines how points are scored: tries (5pts), conversions (2pts), penalty goals (3pts), drop goals (3pts), and penalty tries (7pts). - [Law 9: Foul Play](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/9/): Prohibits obstruction, unfair play, dangerous play, and misconduct. Sanctions include penalties, yellow cards (10-minute suspension), and red cards (permanent dismissal). - [Law 10: Offside and Onside in Open Play](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/10/): A player is offside if they are in front of the ball when it was last played by a teammate. An offside player must not interfere with play. - [Law 11: Knock Forward or Throw Forward](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/11/): The ball must not be knocked or thrown forward (toward the opponents' dead-ball line). Accidental knock-ons result in a scrum; intentional ones are penalised. - [Law 12: Kick-off and Restart Kicks](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/12/): Specifies how the game is started and restarted after scoring. Kick-offs are drop kicks from the centre; restart kicks follow scoring or the ball going dead. - [Law 13: Players on the Ground in Open Play](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/13/): A player who goes to ground with the ball must at once get up, play it without kicking it, or let it go. Players on the ground without the ball are out of the game. - [Law 14: Tackle: Ball Carrier Brought to Ground](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/14/): Defines the tackle, and the duties of the tackler, tackled player, and other players arriving at the tackle. All must act quickly to keep the game moving. - [Law 15: Ruck](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/15/): A ruck forms when at least one player from each team is in contact over the ball on the ground. Players must use their feet to move the ball, not their hands. - [Law 16: Maul](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/16/): A maul forms when the ball carrier is held by opponents while at least one teammate also binds on. Unlike a ruck, the ball is carried off the ground. The maul must keep moving or the referee calls "use it". - [Law 17: Mark](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/17/): A player who catches an opponent's kick directly in their own 22 or in-goal and calls "mark" wins a free-kick. The referee stops play at once. - [Law 18: Touch, Quick Throw-in and Lineout](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/18/): Covers when the ball is in touch, how to take a quick throw-in, and all lineout rules including formation, throw-in, offside, and lifting. - [Law 19: Scrum](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/19/): A scrum is a set piece where 8 forwards from each team bind together and contest for the ball. It is used to restart play after minor infringements. The engagement sequence is: crouch, bind, set. - [Law 20: Penalty and Free-Kick](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/20/): Penalties are awarded for serious infringements and allow the kicker to attempt a goal or kick to touch. Free-kicks are for minor infringements and cannot score directly. - [Law 21: In-Goal](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/laws/21/): The in-goal area is behind each goal-line. Scoring a try requires grounding the ball in the opposition in-goal. This law defines grounding, touch-in-goal, the dead-ball line, and what happens in various situations. ## Glossary - [Rugby glossary](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/): 92 rugby terms, each with a plain definition and links to the laws that use it. - [Advantage](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/advantage/): A law allowing the referee to refrain from stopping play for an infringement if doing so would benefit the non-offending team. - [Agent](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/agent/): A player who acts for another player in a specific game situation, such as a scrum-half acting as agent for the number 8 at the base of a scrum. - [Attacking team](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/attacking-team/): The team moving towards the opposing team's dead-ball line (i.e., towards the opponent's in-goal area). - [Ball back](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/ball-back/): A term used when the ball has gone backwards relative to the direction of play. - [Ball carrier](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/ball-carrier/): The player who has possession of the ball. - [Binding](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/binding/): Grasping another player's body firmly between the shoulders and the hips, with the whole arm in contact from hand to shoulder. - [Box kick](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/box-kick/): A high kick from behind the scrum or ruck, typically by the scrum-half, aimed at landing in a specific area to challenge the opposition. - [Breakdown](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/breakdown/): The general term for the situation following a tackle, which may lead to a ruck or the ball being made available for play. - [Captain](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/captain/): The player nominated by a team to lead it on the field, consult the referee and select options relating to referee decisions. - [Charge-down](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/charge-down/): Blocking an opponent's kick with the hands, arms or body as it is kicked. - [Chip kick](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/chip-kick/): A short kick over the top of advancing defenders, usually intended for the kicker or a supporting player to regather. - [Conversion](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/conversion/): A kick at goal taken after a try is scored. It is worth 2 points if successful. - [Corner post](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/corner-post/): A flag post at each corner where the try line meets the touch-in-goal line. - [Crouch](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/crouch/): The first call in the scrum engagement sequence ("Crouch, Bind, Set"). - [Dead ball](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/dead-ball/): The ball is dead when play has stopped, after the ball crosses the dead-ball line, goes into touch, or when the referee blows the whistle. - [Dead-ball line](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/dead-ball-line/): The line at each end of the playing area, beyond the in-goal. - [Defending team](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/defending-team/): The team defending their own in-goal, i.e., the team moving away from their own dead-ball line. - [Deliberate knock-on](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/deliberate-knock-on/): Intentionally batting or knocking the ball forward with hand or arm. - [Drop goal](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/drop-goal/): A goal scored by drop-kicking the ball through the opponent's uprights during open play. - [Drop kick](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/drop-kick/): A kick made by dropping the ball and kicking it as it rises from its first bounce. - [Dropout](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/dropout/): A drop kick that restarts play after the ball is made dead in in-goal without a score. - [Dummy](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/dummy/): A feigned pass or movement intended to deceive opponents. A dummy is legal unless it involves obstruction. - [Engagement](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/engagement/): The coming together of the two front rows at a scrum, controlled by the referee using the sequence "Crouch, Bind, Set." - [Fair catch](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/fair-catch/): See "Mark." A player who catches the ball directly from an opponent's kick in their own 22 or in-goal while calling "Mark" is awarded a free-kick. - [Field of play](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/field-of-play/): The area of the playing field between the goal lines and touchlines (not including in-goal). - [Flanks](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/flanks/): The sides of a ruck, maul, or scrum. Players may not enter a ruck or maul from the flank; they must enter through the gate. - [Free kick](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/free-kick/): A kick awarded for less serious infringements. A goal cannot be scored directly from it. - [Front row](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/front-row/): The three players at the front of a scrum: the loosehead prop, hooker, and tighthead prop. - [Full time](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/full-time/): When the playing time for a match has run out. The match ends when the ball next becomes dead, so play can continue for a scrum, lineout, penalty or conversion. - [Gate](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/gate/): The everyday name for how players must join a tackle, ruck or maul: from the direction of their own try line, not from the side. - [Goal line](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/goal-line/): Also called the try line. The line a player must ground the ball over (or on) to score a try. - [Grounding](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/grounding/): Touching the ball down in in-goal, either while holding it or by pressing down on it with the hand or arm, or with the front of the body between waist and neck. - [Grubber kick](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/grubber-kick/): A low kick along the ground, intended to bounce forward in front of defenders. - [Half-time](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/half-time/): The interval between the two halves of the game. Teams change ends and the team that did not kick off at the start kicks off for the second half. - [Head injury assessment (HIA)](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/head-injury-assessment-hia/): A temporary removal that lets a player with a possible head injury be assessed off the field, while a temporary replacement takes their place. - [Held up](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/held-up/): When a ball carrier in in-goal is held so that they cannot ground or play the ball. - [Hindmost foot](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/hindmost-foot/): The foot nearest a team's own try line of its last player in a maul or scrum, used to set the offside line. - [Hooker](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/hooker/): The player wearing jersey number 2, positioned between the two props in the front row. - [In-goal](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/in-goal/): The area between the goal line and the dead-ball line at each end of the field. - [Intentional knock-on](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/intentional-knock-on/): See "Deliberate knock-on." A penalty try may be awarded if the action prevented a probable try. - [Intercept](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/intercept/): Catching an opponent's pass before it reaches the intended receiver. - [Jackaling](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/jackaling/): The action of a player legally contesting the ball on the ground at the breakdown, typically by staying on their feet while reaching down to steal possession. - [Kick-off](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/kick-off/): A drop kick from the centre of the halfway line used to start each half and restart play after a score. - [Knock-on](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/knock-on/): When a player loses possession of the ball and it goes forward, or the ball goes forward off their hand or arm. - [Lineout](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/lineout/): A set piece used to restart play after the ball goes into touch. - [Line of touch](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/line-of-touch/): The imaginary line perpendicular to the touchline at the point where the ball went into touch. - [Loosehead prop](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/loosehead-prop/): The prop on the left side of the scrum (when viewed from behind). - [Mark](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/mark/): A catch made directly from an opponent's kick in the catcher's own 22 or in-goal, while calling "Mark." - [Maul](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/maul/): A phase of play with the ball carrier and at least one player from each team bound together and on their feet. - [Midfield line](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/midfield-line/): The halfway line, dividing the field into two equal halves. Kick-offs are taken from the midfield line. - [Misconduct](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/misconduct/): Behaviour against the spirit of good sportsmanship, such as disputing the referee's decisions. - [Number 8](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/number-8/): The player wearing jersey number 8, at the back of the scrum between the two flankers. - [Obstruction](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/obstruction/): Illegally blocking an opponent who does not have the ball. A form of foul play. - [Offside](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/offside/): Being in a position where a player is not permitted to play the ball, interfere with play, or advance. - [On the ground](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/on-the-ground/): A player who has any part of their body (other than feet) touching the ground. - [Onside](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/onside/): Being in a position where a player is permitted to participate in play, i.e., not offside. - [Open play](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/open-play/): All phases of play except set pieces (scrums and lineouts). - [Penalty goal](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/penalty-goal/): A goal scored by kicking at the posts from a penalty mark. Worth 3 points. - [Penalty kick](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/penalty-kick/): A kick awarded for a serious infringement. Options include kicking at goal (3 points), kicking to touch and keeping the lineout throw-in, or taking a tap. - [Penalty try](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/penalty-try/): A try awarded between the posts when a player would probably have scored but for foul play by an opponent. - [Place kick](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/place-kick/): A kick made when the ball has been placed on the ground or on a kicking tee. - [Playing area](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/playing-area/): The field of play plus the two in-goal areas. The touchlines, touch-in-goal lines and dead-ball lines are not part of it. - [Prop](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/prop/): A front-row forward who supports the hooker in the scrum. The loosehead prop wears number 1; the tighthead prop wears number 3. - [Punt](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/punt/): A kick made by dropping the ball from the hands and kicking it before it touches the ground. - [Quick throw-in](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/quick-throw-in/): A throw-in at the lineout taken before the lineout forms, using the original ball, by any player of the throwing team. - [Red card](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/red-card/): Shown to a player who is sent off for serious foul play or misconduct. - [Referee](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/referee/): The match official in charge of the match. Together with the other appointed match officials, the referee is the sole judge of fact and of law during a match. - [Replacement](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/replacement/): Substitution of one player for another. Replacements may be made for injury or tactical reasons, subject to law limits. - [Restart kick](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/restart-kick/): A drop kick that restarts play after a score, or at a 22-metre drop-out or try line drop-out. - [Ruck](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/ruck/): A phase of play where at least one player from each team is on their feet and in contact over the ball on the ground. - [Sanction](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/sanction/): A punishment for an infringement, typically a penalty kick, free-kick, or scrum. - [Scrum](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/scrum/): A set piece where 8 forwards from each team bind together and contest for the ball. - [Scrum-half](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/scrum-half/): The player wearing jersey number 9. Acts as the link between the forwards and backs. - [Set piece](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/set-piece/): A structured phase of play used to restart the game, primarily the scrum and the lineout. - [Sin bin](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/sin-bin/): The temporary suspension of a player following a yellow card. - [Straight arm tackle](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/straight-arm-tackle/): An illegal tackle technique where the tackler leads with a stiff or straight arm. - [Substitution](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/substitution/): The everyday word for a replacement: a player from the bench coming on in place of a team-mate. - [Tackle](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/tackle/): The act of bringing the ball carrier to the ground while holding them. - [Tackled player](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/tackled-player/): A ball carrier who has been brought to the ground (at least one knee on the ground) while being held by an opponent. - [Tap kick](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/tap-kick/): A kick where the player taps the ball with their foot to themselves (or lets it go a short distance) and then picks it up or plays on. - [Forward Pass](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/forward-pass/): When a player throws or passes the ball forward, meaning the passer's arms move towards the opponents' dead-ball line (officially: throw forward). - [Tighthead prop](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/tighthead-prop/): The prop on the right side of the scrum (when viewed from behind). - [TMO (Television Match Official)](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/tmo-television-match-official/): An extra match official who reviews incidents on video replays. - [Touch](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/touch/): The area outside the playing field, beyond the touchlines. The ball or player is in touch when touching or crossing the touchline. - [Touch judge](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/touch-judge/): A match official positioned along each touchline to assist the referee. - [Touchline](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/touchline/): The boundary line running along the length of the field, separating the playing area from touch. - [Try](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/try/): Scored when an attacking player grounds the ball in the opposition's in-goal. - [Tunnel](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/tunnel/): The gap between the two front rows in a scrum, through which the scrum-half feeds the ball. - [Uncontested scrum](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/uncontested-scrum/): A scrum where neither team contests for the ball; the feeding team is awarded possession automatically. - [Up-and-under](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/up-and-under/): A high kick designed to hang in the air long enough for the kicking team to chase and contest the catch. - [Winger](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/winger/): The players wearing jerseys number 11 and 14, positioned on the extreme edges of the backline. - [Yellow card](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/glossary/yellow-card/): Shown to a player who commits a serious or repeated infringement. ## Referee signals and quick reference - [Referee signals](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/signals/): 47 referee, touch judge and TMO signals, each with when it is used. - [Playing Charter](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/charter/): World Rugby's 5 core values and the principles behind how the laws are applied. - [Quick reference](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/quick-ref/): 7 step-by-step cards for common situations such as scrums, lineouts and tackles. - [Law variations](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/variations/): How the laws change for Sevens, 10s, Under-19 and Game-On formats. - [Rugby laws quiz](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/quiz/): 48 questions on the laws, each wrong answer linked to the law that settles it. ## Schoolboy rugby - [Schoolboy rugby](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/schoolboy/): South African schoolboy 1st XV rugby: this weekend, last weekend and the form table. - [Schoolboy results](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/schoolboy/results/): Recent schoolboy results in South Africa, newest first. - [Schoolboy fixtures](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/schoolboy/fixtures/): Upcoming schoolboy matches, grouped by date. - [Schools](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/schoolboy/schools/): Browse schools by province, each with its own page. - [Schoolboy leagues](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/schoolboy/leagues/): Schoolboy leagues, cups and festivals, with fixtures, results and logs. ## Pro rugby - [Pro rugby](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/pro-rugby/): Fixtures, results and standings for pro competitions such as the URC, Super Rugby and the Currie Cup. - [Pro rugby fixtures](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/pro-rugby/fixtures/): Upcoming pro matches with kick-off times. - [Pro rugby results](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/pro-rugby/results/): Recent pro match results, round by round. - [Pro rugby standings](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/pro-rugby/standings/): League tables for each competition. - [Pro rugby teams](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/pro-rugby/teams/): Pro teams, from national sides to clubs. - [Pro rugby leagues](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/pro-rugby/leagues/): Every competition covered, each with its own page. ## RuckBee Daily RuckBee Daily is RuckBee's rugby news section: South African rugby news on the Springboks, pro rugby, schoolboy 1st XV rugby and the laws, published every day. - [RuckBee Daily](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/news/): The latest stories from every section, newest first. - [RuckBee Daily: Springboks](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/news/springboks/): Springbok and Springbok Women news: squads, Tests, results and the people behind them. - [RuckBee Daily: Pro Rugby](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/news/pro-rugby/): The URC, Champions Cup, Currie Cup and the rest of professional rugby, with South African sides first. - [RuckBee Daily: Schoolboy](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/news/schoolboy/): South African schoolboy 1st XV rugby: results, festivals, derbies and the schools behind them. - [RuckBee Daily: Laws and Refereeing](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/news/laws/): Law changes, referee calls and the Laws of the Game explained in plain English. ## About - [About RuckBee](https://www.ruckbee.co.za/about/): What RuckBee covers, who runs it, where the data comes from and how to ask for a correction.