Two red-card croc-roll incidents in a single weekend — Henderson on Deon Fourie on Friday, Barron in the Munster-Connacht derby on Saturday — have reignited the debate about a technique World Rugby banned two years ago. The piece argues that the Henderson incident in particular was anything but accidental: players have known for two years that the move is illegal, no competent ruck coach would teach it, and the act of twisting and then falling on Fourie's knee involved a conscious decision. The 'unintentional' defence, the author contends, is simply gaslighting. Notably, the piece flags that Henderson's red card, Barron's incident, and Malcolm Marx's tibia fracture in July 2024 all involved Irish players — flagging it as at minimum a curious pattern and at most something more deliberate, with disciplinary outcomes still pending. The broader argument draws on precedent: the spear tackle and dangerous aerial collisions were largely coached out of the game through consistent, heavy sanctions. The croc-roll should be no different, and the URC's response to these two incidents will signal whether it takes player welfare seriously or lets the technique quietly creep back in.
Croc-rolls are back — and the URC needs to act decisively
Two croc-roll red cards in one weekend — including the nasty Henderson-on-Fourie incident — have the author calling for the URC to come down hard and make an example, arguing the 'unintentional' defence doesn't hold and that consistent sanctions are the only way to coach the move out of the game permanently.
Two croc-rolls in one weekend is two too many — and the URC must act
Two URC croc-roll red cards in one weekend — including the attack on Deon Fourie — has the author arguing that 'unintentional' defences don't hold water two years into the ban, and that the URC's disciplinary response will reveal whether it takes player safety seriously.
Bulls land seven signings including Bosch and Abrahams ahead of 2026/27 season
The Bulls have signed seven players for next season, including Springbok fly-half Curwin Bosch from CA Brive on a three-year deal and Thaakir Abrahams from Munster on two years, with Luan Giliomee, Hakeem Kunene, Dylan Maart, Sango Xamlashe and Mawande Mdanda also coming aboard as the club undertakes a major squad overhaul.
Marx, De Allende and Kriel each bag brace of tries in strong weekend for Saffas abroad
Malcolm Marx, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel each scored two tries during the latest round of club fixtures in Japan and Europe. The trio's performances were among the highlights for South African players based abroad over the weekend.
PJ Botha's 100-cap milestone puts Lions' quiet enforcer in deserved focus
PJ Botha is set to earn his 100th Lions cap against Connacht at Ellis Park, with assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys making the case that his unflashy consistency has been central to everything the franchise has built.
Keo & Zels: Johann van Graan – The Next Springboks Coach After Rassie?
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