South African Rugby Union

2020 ◽  
pp. 149-168
Author(s):  
A. Shuttleworth-Edwards ◽  
M. Border ◽  
I. Reid ◽  
S. Radloff
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Rugby Union

scholarly journals The effect of prophylactic knee bracing on proprioception performance in first division rugby union players

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
TH Kruger ◽  
MF Coetsee ◽  
S Davies
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Knee Brace ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Test Order ◽  
The University ◽  
Rugby Players

Objective. To investigate the effects of prophylactic knee bracing on proprioceptive performance among first division rugby union players during a 2-minute Wilknox Quad Time Logger balancing task. Design. Each subject performed a 2-minute balancing task on the Wilknox Quad Time Logger. Test order, left or right leg, and the sequence of brace or non-brace, were randomised. Subjects were placed on the balancing board and instructed to balance for 2 minutes. Subjects performed 6 trials. Two days elapsed between testing. Each testing day involved 2 trials, 1 trial with and 1 without the prophylactic knee brace. Settings. Testing took place at the biokinetics laboratory of the University of Zululand. Subjects. Thirty playing (not injured) male rugby players, aged 22 - 30 years, participating in the KwaZulu-Natal club championships (2000). Outcome measure. Performance was measured in terms of time that balance was lost in a dynamic balance test. Peak proprioception was the best balancing performance recorded, and average proprioception the average balancing performance for all trials. Results. The findings showed an improvement of 17.9% in average proprioception times and 19.1% in peak proprioception times with the application of a prophylactic knee brace (p < 0.01). Conclusion. Prophylactic knee bracing improved proprioception performance of playing (uninjured) rugby players, and therefore may be responsible for the improvement in knee injury statistics reported in some studies on knee bracing. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol.16(1) 2004: 33-36

scholarly journals Fitness and body composition profiling of elite junior South African rugby players

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Durandt ◽  
S Du Toit ◽  
J Borresen ◽  
T Hew-Butler ◽  
H Masimla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
South African ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
The Body ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sprinting Speed ◽  
Rugby Players

Objective. The aim of this study was to describe the body composition, strength and speed characteristics of elite junior South African rugby players. Design. Cross-sectional. Setting. Field study. Subjects. Rugby players (16 and 18 years old, N = 174) selected for the South African Rugby Union National Green Squad. Outcome measures. Body composition, 10 m and 40 m speed, agility, 1RM bench press, underhand pull-ups, push-ups, multistage shuttle run. Results. The under-16 players were on average shorter (175.6 ± 5.7 v. 179.2 ± 6.7 cm), weighed less (76.5 ± 8.2 v. 84.8 ± 8.3 kg) had less upper body absolute strength (77.1 ± 11.8 kg v. 95.3 ± 16.7 kg) and muscular endurance (41 ± 12 v. 52 ± 15 push-ups) and aerobic fitness (87.1 ± 19.4 v. 93.5 ± 15.3 shuttles) than the under-18 players. There were no differences in body fat, sprinting speed (10 m and 40 m) or agility between the two age groups. There were differences between playing positions, with the props having the most body fat, strongest upper bodies, slowest sprinting speed, least agility and lowest aerobic capacity compared with players in the other positions. Conclusion. This study provides data for elite junior rugby players and can be used to monitor the progression of players after intervention while also assisting with talent identification for the different playing positions. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 18 (2) 2006: pp. 38-45

scholarly journals Players’ and coaches’ knowledge and awareness of the BokSmartSafe Sixinjury prevention programme: an ecological cross-sectional questionnaire study

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e018575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Sewry ◽  
Evert Verhagen ◽  
Mike Lambert ◽  
Willem van Mechelen ◽  
James Brown
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Prevention Programme ◽  
Questionnaire Study ◽  
Injury Incidence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Targeted Marketing ◽  
Injury Prevention Programme ◽  
Marketing Approach

ObjectivesRugby has a high injury incidence and therefore BokSmart introduced theSafe Sixinjury prevention programme in 2014 in an attempt to decrease this incidence. In 2015, BokSmart used a ‘targeted marketing approach’ to increase the awareness and knowledge of theSafe Six. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the change in the knowledge of coaches and players of theSafe Sixprogramme, compared with the launch year, following a ‘targeted marketing approach’.DesignEcological cross-sectional questionnaire studySettingThe 2014–2016 South African rugby union youth week tournaments.ParticipantsQuestionnaires were completed by 4502 players and coaches who attended any of the four youth week tournaments during 2014–2016.Outcome measuresLogistic regression (adjusted OR, 95% CI) was performed in comparison to year prior to targeted marketing, separately for coaches and players, for changes in awareness and knowledge.ResultsThe awareness of theSafe Sixincreased significantly for players in 2015 (1.74 times (95% CI 1.49 to 2.04)) and in 2016 (1.54 times (95% CI 1.29 to 1.84)). Similarly for coaches, there was a 3.55 times (95% CI 1.23 to 9.99) increase in 2015 and a 10.11 times (95% CI 2.43 to 42.08) increase in 2016 compared with 2014. Furthermore, a player was significantly more likely to be aware of theSafe Sixif his coach was aware of the programme (p<0.05).ConclusionsThe knowledge and awareness of the BokSmartSafe Sixof both players and coaches increased in 2015 and 2016 (compared with 2014) since the launch of the programme. Coaches, the Unions/the South African Rugby Union and social media were the largest contributors to knowledge in coaches and players. While the ‘targeted marketing approach’ was associated with an increase in awareness, future studies should determine if this translates into behavioural change.

scholarly journals The state of women’s rugby union in South Africa: Recommendations for long-term participant development

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
M Posthumus
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Current State ◽  
Specific Stage ◽  
Gender Specific Differences ◽  
Future Strategy ◽  
Gender Specific

Several international rugby unions, including the South African Rugby Union, have adopted the long-term athlete development (LTAD) model, which is based on physiological principles that categorise players into specific stages of development. The original model proposes different age categories for boys and girls within each specific stage of development. This review: (i) discusses the current state of junior female rugby in South Africa; (ii) discusses the evidence for gender-specific differences in the LTAD model; and (iii) recommends a future strategy for LTAD within female rugby in South Africa, considering the current approaches of other international unions.

scholarly journals Playing time between senior rugby players of different ethnic groups across all levels of South African rugby, 2007- 2011

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Du Toit ◽  
J Durandt ◽  
J Joshua ◽  
H Masimla ◽  
M Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
South African ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
The South ◽  
Playing Time ◽  
Rugby Players ◽  
Different Levels

Background. The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has had a continual challenge to make the game representative of players of all ethnic groups at all levels of play. In response to this challenge SARU has implemented several programmes designed to accelerate the development of players from previously disadvantaged areas with the goal of making the game more representative. However, the success of these programmes to transform the player profile at different levels of rugby cannot be evaluated because the players representing different ethnic groups have not been quantified in a systematic way.Objectives. To quantify the number and playing time of South African professional players (Vodacom, Currie Cup, Super Rugby and Springboks) from different ethnic groups from 2007 to 2011 to determine whether there are any changes in the profile of the players over this period.Methods. Playing time was recorded for all players in sanctioned matches. Players were divided into the ethnic classifications used by SARU (i.e. white, coloured and black).Results. At all levels of competition there were proportionally more white players, followed by coloured players and then black players. This pattern did not change from 2007 to 2011. Based on the ratio of number of players v. playing time, the white players played more time than expected at the Springbok level, whereas the black players played less than expected for the number of players from 2007 to 2011. At the Vodacom level the white players played more than expected in 2007 and 2008 and played less than expected in 2010 and 2011, whereas the black players played more than expected in 2010 and the coloured players played more than expected at the 2011 tournament. The Super Rugby tournamenthad the most consistency between players and expected playing time for the different ethnic groups.Conclusions. Despite the effort to support players from disadvantaged backgrounds since 1998 with facilitative programmes and selection targets, the professional game is still dominated by white players at all levels.

scholarly journals Rugby-playing history at the national U13 level and subsequent participation at the national U16 and U18 rugby tournaments

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Durandt ◽  
Ziyaad Parker ◽  
Herman Masimla ◽  
Mike Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
South African ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Young Age ◽  
The South ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Cost

Background. The South African Rugby Union has adopted the model of competition at a young age (U13 years) to identify talent. There is concern however that bigger players who mature early are selected at this age, and that the majority of these players do not play rugby at a high level after puberty. Objectives. The aim of this study was to establish how many players in the 2005 U13 Craven week (n=349) participated in subsequent U16 Grant Khomo and U18 Craven week tournaments. Design. Longitudinal. Results. 31.5% of the players who played in the U13 Craven week, were again selected to play at U16 Grant Khomo week and 24.1% were selected for the U18 Craven week. Conclusion. Seventy-six per cent of the players selected for the U13 tournament do not play at the U18 national Craven week tournament. These data need to be considered when decisions are made about the cost-effectiveness of staging the U13 tournament, particularly if the main goal of this tournament is for talent identification.SAJSM, vol 23 No. 4 2011

Team illness prevention strategy (TIPS) is associated with a 59% reduction in acute illness during the Super Rugby tournament: a control–intervention study over 7 seasons involving 126 850 player days

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 245-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Schwellnus ◽  
Charl Janse van Rensburg ◽  
Helen Bayne ◽  
Wayne Derman ◽  
Clint Readhead ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Intervention Study ◽  
Subcutaneous Tissue ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Acute Illness ◽  
Prevention Strategy ◽  
Illness Burden ◽  
Illness Prevention ◽  
Control Intervention ◽  
Infectious Illness

ObjectivesTo determine whether a team illness prevention strategy (TIPS) would reduce the incidence of acute illness during the Super Rugby tournament.MethodsWe studied 1340 male professional rugby union player seasons from six South African teams that participated in the Super Rugby tournament (2010–2016). Medical staff recorded all illnesses daily (126 850 player days) in a 3-year control (C: 2010–2012; 47 553 player days) and a 4-year intervention (I: 2013–2016; 79 297 player days) period. A five-element TIPS was implemented in the I period, following agreement by consensus. Incidence rate (IR: per 1000 player days; 95% CI) of all acute illnesses, illness by main organ system, infectious illness and illness burden (days lost due to illness per 1000 player days) were compared between C and I period.ResultsThe IR of acute illness was significantly lower in the I (5.5: 4.7 to 6.4) versus the C period (13.2: 9.7 to 18.0) (p<0.001). The IR of respiratory (C=8.6: 6.3 to 11.7; I=3.8: 3.3 to 4.3) (p<0.0001), digestive (C=2.5: 1.8 to 3.6; I=1.1: 0.8 to 1.4) (p<0.001), skin and subcutaneous tissue illness (C=0.7: 0.4 to 1.4; I=0.3: 0.2 to 0.5) (p=0.0238), all infections (C=8.4: 5.9 to 11.9; I=4.3: 3.7 to 4.9) (p<0.001) and illness burden (C=9.2: 6.8 to 12.5; I=5.7: 4.1 to 7.8) (p=0.0314) were significantly lower in the I versus the C period.ConclusionA TIPS during the Super Rugby tournament was associated with a lower incidence of all acute illnesses (59%), infectious illness (49%) and illness burden (39%). Our findings may have important clinical implications for other travelling team sport settings.

scholarly journals Strength and conditioning practices of high school rugby coaches: A South African context

2019 ◽  
Vol 115 (9/10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Robinson ◽  
Lee Pote ◽  
Candice Christie
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High School ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
South African ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Weight Lifting ◽  
School Level ◽  
High School Level ◽  
Strength And Conditioning

Although rugby union as a sport is well established, the strength and conditioning practices of high school level players are not well known. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to examine the current strength and conditioning practices that coaches implement at South African high school level rugby. A secondary purpose was to compare practices between high schools of different socio-economic status in South Africa. An online survey or in person interview (depending on the school) was conducted and 43 responses were received: from 28 coaches at schools among the top 100 rugby schools in South Africa for 2016 and from 15 coaches at no-fee public schools in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Most coaches (72%) performed some form of physical testing, with the most common parameter tested being ‘speed’. The most common strength and conditioning practices utilised included flexibility (stretching), speed (free sprinting), agility (cone drills), plyometric (box drills) and resistance (weight lifting) training. Unlike the no-fee schools, the top 100 rugby schools implemented conditioning practices similar to best-known international practices. Furthermore, no-fee school coaches did not have the qualifications necessary to administer the correct training techniques. Education and upskilling on the best strength and conditioning practices for school level coaches need to be improved, particularly in less privileged schools. Such improvement is crucial to the transformation goals set out by the South African Rugby Union, which would benefit from player development in lower socio-economic schools.

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