In a revealing discussion, Japan's head coach Eddie Jones pinpointed the Springboks' aerial dominance as a key factor setting them apart from the rest of the world in rugby. On the Rugby Unity podcast, alongside World Rugby chair Brett Robinson, Jones proposed a modification to the rules that could level the playing field, influenced by recent changes that have seen South Africa excel.
The 2025 season saw the Springboks lose only twice, yet they retained their Rugby Championship title, showcasing their prowess. A significant shift came last year when World Rugby banned 'escorts', enhancing the contest for high balls. This change, Jones argues, plays directly into the hands of teams like the Springboks who are masters of the aerial game.
"So the latest data coming out is that the probability of catching a high ball now for the defending team in a one-on-one duel is less than 30%,"
Jones revealed, highlighting the tactical shift towards more frequent and strategic kicking.
With teams now encouraged to exploit this aspect, Jones suggested an adaptation borrowed from rugby league:
"I think there’s a question mark on how far we want that to go and maybe it’s only going to get more profitable for the team to kick high in the future than not unless we bring in the disruptor rule, which the rugby league brought in to take that away that unless you’re actively going for the ball in the air, you can’t just take the space and try to create a distraction for the catcher,"
he explained.
While discussing the broader implications of such tactical shifts, Jones and Robinson touched upon the cultural and historical aspects of rugby's evolution. The high-kicking game, a longstanding element at the international level, contrasts with more varied approaches seen in domestic games around the world.
The conversation also turned to the broader impact of South African rugby, not just within the men's game but across their developmental tiers and into the women's teams. The success of figures like Siya Kolisi is inspiring a new generation of athletes, as evidenced by the robust pipeline seen in the under-20 squads.
As the rugby world continues to evolve, both Jones and Robinson acknowledge the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in balancing the traditional aspects of the game with the innovations that could shape its future.
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In a revealing discussion, Japan's head coach Eddie Jones pinpointed the Springboks' aerial dominance as a key factor setting them apart from the rest of the world in rugby. On the Rugby Unity podcast, alongside World Rugby chair Brett Robinson, Jones proposed a modification to the rules that could level the playing field, influenced by recent changes that have seen South Africa excel.
The 2025 season saw the Springboks lose only twice, yet they retained their Rugby Championship title, showcasing their prowess. A significant shift came last year when World Rugby banned 'escorts', enhancing the contest for high balls. This change, Jones argues, plays directly into the hands of teams like the Springboks who are masters of the aerial game.
"So the latest data coming out is that the probability of catching a high ball now for the defending team in a one-on-one duel is less than 30%,"
Jones revealed, highlighting the tactical shift towards more frequent and strategic kicking.With teams now encouraged to exploit this aspect, Jones suggested an adaptation borrowed from rugby league:
"I think there’s a question mark on how far we want that to go and maybe it’s only going to get more profitable for the team to kick high in the future than not unless we bring in the disruptor rule, which the rugby league brought in to take that away that unless you’re actively going for the ball in the air, you can’t just take the space and try to create a distraction for the catcher,"
he explained.While discussing the broader implications of such tactical shifts, Jones and Robinson touched upon the cultural and historical aspects of rugby's evolution. The high-kicking game, a longstanding element at the international level, contrasts with more varied approaches seen in domestic games around the world.
The conversation also turned to the broader impact of South African rugby, not just within the men's game but across their developmental tiers and into the women's teams. The success of figures like Siya Kolisi is inspiring a new generation of athletes, as evidenced by the robust pipeline seen in the under-20 squads.
As the rugby world continues to evolve, both Jones and Robinson acknowledge the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in balancing the traditional aspects of the game with the innovations that could shape its future.