The South African Rugby Union (SARU) applauded the efforts of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union after their representative professional and amateur coaches recently concluded their BokSmart certification.

Most of their successful Super 14,  Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup coaches which included Frans Ludeke, Pieter Rossouw, Nico Serfontein, Ricardo Loubscher and Wessel Roux attended and participated in a BokSmart Rugby Safety Workshop, which is aimed at making the game safer.

Dr Wayne Viljoen, BokSmart project manager, said:. “Firstly I'd like to congratulate and compliment the Blue Bulls Rugby Union on ensuring that their representative professional and amateur coaches have set the standard on this front.

“The Blue Bulls Rugby Union has taken the same initiative as every other coach in the country who wants to become BokSmart certified. They have been proactive and ensured that all their professional and amateur coaches are certified before the new regulations come into effect as from next year. I would also like to thank our Blue Bulls representative, Kosie Horn, for his efforts in coordinating this process and putting this workshop together.” 

The key regulations that will come into effect next year include that provinces, clubs, rugby bodies and schools will not be allowed to host any matches without ensuring that all match officials and participating coaches are BokSmart certified.

Provinces, clubs, rugby bodies and schools must comply with the BokSmart regulations and ensure that they inform all their members of the regulations and their obligation.

Rugby organisers would also have to ensure that all affiliated match officials and coaches are BokSmart certified and their details recorded.

Nico Serfontein, the Blue Bulls Under-21 coach who attend the workshop, encouraged all rugby coaches to become certified before next year. “It will be worth it,” he said.

“I was impressed. The reality is that rugby needs to become as safe as it can be. We are in competition with other sporting codes and the better our safety records, the better chance we have to retain players and introduce new ones to our wonderful game.”

Issued by SARU Communications