Morne van den Berg: New ruck laws giving scrumhalves more attacking space

Morne van den Berg believes scrumhalves are being presented with more opportunities to attack in international rugby because of the way referees are interpreting ruck cleanouts.

Four South Africa scrumhalves – Grant Williams, Cobus Reinach, Herschel Jantjies and Embrose Papier – scored tries during the Springboks’ recent Nations Championship campaign.

Papier’s effort against Scotland was the clearest example of the attacking possibilities available around the ruck. He spotted a gap, broke away from the set-piece and finished a superb solo try.

Van den Berg, who is preparing with the Springboks in Argentina for Saturday’s Test against Los Pumas, said teams are being given greater room to operate beside the ruck once the initial cleanout has taken place.

“I think there is an emphasis on cleaning the ruck up a bit, and then I think when the attacking teams get their say, they do create a bit of space next to the rucks,” he told reporters.

The scrumhalf added that the amount of space available depends heavily on the opposition’s defensive approach. Although the current interpretation may create openings, players still have to react quickly and make the right decision based on what is directly in front of them.

“You have to play what’s in front of you,” Van den Berg noted.

“Each defence that you face is a bit different. So credit to those boys scoring some good tries, but you have to play what’s in front of you.”

His comments come as he prepares to return from injury, with the 2025 Nations Championship campaign having underlined the impact scrumhalves can have close to the ruck.

Grant Williams, Cobus Reinach, Herschel Jantjies and Embrose Papier each made the most of their chances for South Africa, while Papier’s score against Scotland demonstrated how quickly a halfback can exploit a defensive lapse.

Van den Berg is now likely to be alert to similar opportunities when the Springboks face Los Pumas on Saturday. He will be looking to take advantage if Argentina leave space beside the rucks or fail to close down an attacking threat quickly enough.

However, he stressed that there is no single method for finding those gaps. Defensive systems vary from one team to another, meaning scrumhalves must assess the situation as it develops rather than rely on a pre-planned move.

The Springboks are completing their preparations in Argentina ahead of the Test, which is scheduled to kick off at 21:10.