I didn’t know this so: Better late than never!
Attention: All Provincial Unions, Clubs, Schools, SA Rugby Associations and Affiliates, Coaches, Medical and Paramedical Professionals, Parents and Players
Re: Notification of the change of the minimum stand-down (individualised rehabilitation) period to 21 days post-concussion for all levels of community rugby, including adult rugby.
This letter is to confirm that World Rugby have announced changes to the minimum stand-down (individualised rehabilitation) period for a player that has sustained a concussion or suspected concussion. The minimum stand-down period as of right now is 21 days for all players participating in the community game or in matches or competitions where World Rugby have not approved the use of the Head Injury Assessment or HIA Protocol.
World Rugby are currently updating their Concussion Regulation (Regulation 10) and Return to Sport guidelines. As soon as these are ratified and circulated, SA Rugby will issue their updated SA Rugby Regulation and operationalised Return to Sport protocol applicable to the community game in South Africa.
If you sustain a concussion, please ensure that you are managed by a medical doctor who is well versed in concussion assessment and management before you return to full contact rugby and/or match play. To find a medical doctor well versed in concussion management and also for rugby, visit the Sports Concussion South Africa website.
For more information on concussion visit the BokSmart website or go to MyBokSmart for documentation and articles or do the freely available Concussion Modules. The documents will be updated where applicable once the regulation has been finalised.
@Smallies (Comment #2)
I think something to this effect is already in play, except it’s a 3 concussion rule. 3rd concussion rules the player out for the season….
I actually agree with this 100% ,the effects of concussion can compound the more it happens ,I would go as far as 1 concussion out for 6 weeks 2nd concussion out for the rest of the season….
Was discussing this over the weekend with a fellow pundit. His son has just sat out the last 21 days after picking up a concussion against Noordheuwel. His concern is that players will now go out of their way to conceal a potential concussion to avoid missing out on 3 weeks of the season. Consider a players state of mind a week out from a Craven Week where he is likely to play? And he picks up a suspected concussion? One can understand the rationale behind the ruling but as with everything and this sport, there is inevitably an unforeseen side effect.