Sanzaar announced that 20-minute red cards will be among the law variations for the 2024 Rugby Championship.
In certain cases under the new laws, players sent off after being shown a red card can be replaced by another player 20 minutes later.
The rationale is that individual players, not the match, are punished for some red card offences, Sanzaar said in a statement.
However, deliberate foul play with a high level of danger will still result in a full red card for the offending player, who can neither return nor be replaced, Sanzaar added.
The tournament kicks off with Australia hosting world champions South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday.
Holders New Zealand face Argentina in Wellington later the same day.
A countdown clock of 60 seconds for kickers to take conversions and penalties is among the other law changes being introduced this season.
Forward packs will also have 30 seconds to form a scrum or lineout.
The new laws also include extra protection for the scrumhalf, who can’t be tackled by a defender who is part of a ruck or maul within one metre of that event. At a scrum, the defending scrumhalf may not follow his opposite number to the base of the scrum and must remain at the tunnel or retire to the offside line.
The referee will be allowed to let play continue for a crooked lineout throw under the changes if the defending team does not contest the ball.
© Agence France-Presse
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
