Straight to ground

Morné Steyn of South Africa runs with the ball into a wall of Australians. Will Genia tackles him and the two go to ground.

The first South African to arrive is Jannie du Plessis. He goes down on top of the players in the tackle.

The referee penalises Du Plessis.

Law 15.7 (c) No player may fall on or over the players lying on the ground after a tackle with the ball between or near to them.
Sanction: Penalty kick

Du Plessis, arriving head low to dive downwards, fell on and over players lying on the ground.

But his side had the ball, someone says.

That simply does not matter. The law applies equally to both sides.

Last week, André Watson, South Africa's refereeing boss, sent a circular to his panel referees. Included in it was the following:

“Sealing off” happens when an arriving player at the breakdown voluntarily goes to ground or onto team mates either to win possession or to cause an obstruction with his body to secure possession.

This action is seldom penalised when attacking players are doing it but defenders are regularly and correctly penalised for the same infringement.

Please, referee both teams at the breakdown as the laws are the same for both teams. Do not remain focused on the defenders only at the breakdown.