Conditions of Play
Bowls South Africa Men’s and Women’s Open Championships Conditions of Play
All games shall be played in accordance with:
- THE LAWS OF THE SPORT OF BOWLS CRYSTAL MARK 4th EDITION; and
- DOMESTIC REGULATIONS OF BOWLS SOUTH AFRICA; and the following;
- CONDITIONS OF PLAY
CONTROLLING BODY
The tournament shall be under the control of Bowls South Africa through its nominated Executive Member and in association with the Tournament Committee and Jury of Appeal.
JURY OF APPEAL
A Jury of Appeal appointed by Bowls South Africa will be constituted as follows:
- A Member of Bowls South Africa Executive or a nominee;
- A Member of the Host District’s Executive Committee who shall not be a member of the Event Committee;
- Convener of the Staging Districts Technical Officials Standing Committee or an acceptable nominee.
The decision of the Jury of Appeal shall be final.
BOWLS – DISTINCTIVE MARKING, LEGALITY AND STICKERS
Bowls in a set of four must have distinctive and similar markings on each side. Club personalised stickers may be used, however, only Controlling Body stickers will be acceptable at semi and final stages.
GREEN FEES
R20.00 green fees per competitor per day must be paid to clubs who are hosting the sectional play in the Singles, Fours and Pairs. This fee does not include coffees, teas and lunches. Once the sectional play is concluded green fees will not be charged.
FORMAT OF PLAY
PAIRS
1.1 The Pairs Championships (3 rounds per day) is to be played with three bowls on a league system in sections of six teams, over 18 ends.
1.2 All ends of sectional play in the pairs are to be completed, as net shots could decide section winners. In the event of a drawn game in sectional play, 1 point is awarded to each team. (No extra end). 3 points are awarded to the winner of each sectional game. During the knockout phase play a drawn game will result in an extra end or ends be played until a result is achieved.
1.3 The play-offs up to and including the final shall be in the same format on a knockout basis. (18 ends)
1.4 Teams must play on the same green for every round of sectional play and first round knockout.
However if the technical official requests that all sectional winners at the same club play on the same green during first round of knockout play, both skips must agree to this.
FOURS
1.1 The Fours Championships (3 rounds per day) is to be played with two bowls on a league system in sections of six teams, over 15 ends. The play-offs of section winners shall be on a knockout basis.
1.2 All games of sectional play in the fours are to be completed, as net shots could decide section winners. In the event of a drawn game in sectional play, 1 point is awarded to each team (No extra end). 3 points are awarded to the winner of each sectional game. During the knockout phase a drawn game will result in an extra end or ends be played until a result is achieved.
1.3 In knockout play the same format as used in section play will be used up to and including the quarter finals. The Semi Finals and Finals will be played over 21ends. In the event of a peel an extra end or ends will be played until a result is achieved.
1.4 Teams must play on the same green for every round of sectional play and first round knockout.
However if the Event Official (EO) requests that all sectional winners at the same club play on the same green during first round of knockout play, both skips must agree to this.
SINGLES
2.1 The Open and Veteran Singles Championships (3 rounds per day) is to be played with four bowls to 21 shots on a league system in sections of three players. The playoffs of section winners shall be on a knockout basis.
2.2 The three rounds to be played in the following sequence and the odd player in each round shall mark.
Round 1 – Player 1 vs Player 2.
Round 2 – Loser Round 1 vs Player 3.
Round 3 – Winner Round 1 vs Player 3.
POINTS ALLOCATION (Sectional Play)
PAIRS AND FOURS
3 Points for winning the game and 1 point if the game is peeled.
SINGLES
1 Point for winning the game.
POINTS ALLOCATION (Knockout Phase)
No points awarded. Team who wins the game moves onto next round.
SECTION WINNERS
The section winner shall be the team with the most points, and if a tie, the following sequential criteria will be used until a winner is determined. Net shots, shot percentage (i.e. shots for divided by shorts against), the winner of the game between the two teams during section play, and if still a tie, a one end tie-breaker will be played.
NOTE – SINGLES
In the unlikely event that all the players record the same scores during sectional play, the winner will be decided in a one end playoff with the mat and jack placed on the respective two metre marks. Each player to deliver one bowl in the sequence prescribed in the section draw. When each player’s bowl comes to rest the distance from the jack shall be recorded and the bowl removed prior to the next player delivering their bowl. The section winner shall be the player whose bowl finishes closest to the jack.
The sequence shall be repeated should two or more players record equal distances.
ELIGIBILITY / MEMBERSHIP CARDS / PROOF OF MEMBERSHIP
- Entry to the Pairs Fours Championships and Veteran Singles is open to players registered with a World Bowls Member National Authority.
- The Open Singles Championship entry is restricted to bona fide members of Bowls South Africa.
- All participants must be in possession of and shall present proof of their membership when submitting their signed declaration form. Any player participating in an event who is found to not have a current proof of membership will be disqualified together with that player’s team.
DECLARATION FORMS
Skips must complete these forms at the commencement of the tournament. The name of the Reserve, if applicable, must be recorded. Names of the players must be PRINTED WITH FIRST NAMES AND SURNAMES plus contact telephone numbers. No nicknames are to be used. It is important that each player’s Bowls South Africa Membership number is entered. After commencement of the first game no alterations to the declaration form are allowed.
PAIRS AND FOURS TEAMS
Teams must consist of either two or four players for the respective disciplines. Players may enter the Pairs without playing in the Fours.
RESERVES AND SUBSTITUTES
USE OF RESERVES
In both the Pairs and the Fours a registered reserve may be used and the reserve may skip. A substitute may only be used if a reserve is already playing or was not registered.
USE OF SUBSTITUTES
In the event that there are no reserves or the registered reserves are already playing, the names of not more than Four bowlers, who have not played for any team participating in the Tournament, shall be recorded and placed in a hat/container; and the opposing Skip for that match shall be allowed to draw out one name from the hat/container and the Controlling Body should accept this name. This player will be allowed to play for the team for as many matches as he/she may be required, but may not Skip.
NB: To obviate the necessity of having to apply the 25% Law, teams should at all times have their full complement of players. A reserve or substitute must be used in the event of a player not being able to commence a game or has to fall out during play.
The Domestic Regulations of Law 32.9 will be applied in the extreme circumstance where no substitute is available. In that case 25% of the shots scored must be deducted from the defaulting team for the ends played whilst a player is missing from a team.
WITHDRAWALS PRIOR TO THE TOURNAMENT
Should a team in fours and pairs, or a player in singles, have to withdraw from these championships before the commencement, the Event Secretary must be advised immediately. The entry fee will not be refunded once the draw has been completed and published.
WITHDRAWING DURING SECTIONAL PLAY
Should a team in fours and pairs, or a player in singles withdraw without consent from the Controlling Body, then suitable disciplinary action may be taken by Bowls South Africa.
PAIRS AND FOURS
Should a side withdraw at any time after commencement of sectional play, with or without the consent of the Controlling Body, all their completed results up to the point of withdrawal shall stand. That game and the remainder of the games shall be forfeited and the opposing team/s for that and the remaining un-played games shall be allocated three points and the net total of shots equal to the average net total of shots scored by the winners of all the other games played in the same round/s of the same section.
SINGLES
Should a player in singles, withdraw without consent from the Controlling Body, the winner of the game between the two remaining players shall be the section winner.
DRESS AND FOOTWEAR
DRESS
All competitors must appear on the green dressed in compliance with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls. Discriminatory messaging or graphics regarding sex, race or religion is not allowed. Coloured clothing may be worn subject to all members of a team being uniformly dressed. It is acceptable for individual members in a team to wear either long pants or shorts in the same team during competitive play. Players reaching the final stages may be required to wear special shirts issued by the Controlling Body.
FOOTWEAR
Players, Umpires and Markers shall wear conventional shoes or sports shoes which have a continuous sole or a sole with a channel rise in the middle of the sole, as long as the sole is clearly in one piece and the heel area does not sit at a different height to the front of the sole. To assist in traction the sole can have indented grooves up to 2 mm (thickness of matchstick), but no protuberances. The width of the rear part of the shoe shall be at least 50% of the widest part of the sole. Conventional sandals are acceptable providing they have a back strap. The National Authority reserves the right to allow or disallow the use of specific colours and brands of footwear.
SCORECARDS
It is essential that the names of all the players in the team (including that of the reserve if nominated) be entered on the scorecard for each match.
DIRECTION OF PLAY
PAIRS & FOURS
During sectional play, the direction of play for the first two rounds each day shall be in the morning direction and changed to the afternoon direction for the third round.
SINGLES
Play shall be in the same direction for all games played on a specific day. This will not apply when playoff games are scheduled in conjunction with other disciplines.
PRACTICE AND WARM UP
Teams/players not playing for whatever reason, but due to play in the next round, may practice on any rink allocated by the Controlling Body.
Any team/player may warm up before any game, time allowing and with the approval of the Controlling Body. Warm up should be in the opposite direction of expected play. Warm up should not be deliberate play and no target such as a jack may be used, but bowls may be delivered to enable the player to warm/loosen up.
TOSSING FOR OPENING PLAY
Skips in a team game or opponents in a Singles game, should toss with a coin. See Law 5.2 of ‘Laws of the Sport of Bowls’ Crystal Mark Edition.
TRIAL ENDS
One trial end in each direction may be played at the commencement of each game in all three disciplines.
RESTRICTING THE MOVEMENT OF PLAYERS DURING PLAY
FOURS
Leads and Seconds may not walk up to the head. After delivering their first bowl, Thirds may be permitted to walk up to the head on being invited by the Skip after he/she has the approval of the opposing Skip. Skips, after delivery of their first bowl.
PAIRS
Leads may not walk up to the head. Skips may visit the head after delivery of their first bowl.
SINGLES
After playing their third bowl. Players may request permission from the marker to visit the head should circumstances dictate.
DEAD JACK (BURNT ENDS)
Ends declared dead are to be replayed in all 3 disciplines. The procedure of spotting the Jack will not apply.
INTERRUPTION OF PLAY
In the event of adverse weather conditions, which includes lightning activity, excessive heat and humidity, or for any other valid reason, the Event Official (EO) shall temporarily suspend play. Play shall stop immediately and only resume when authorised by the EO. Only the Controlling Body in conjunction with Bowls SA Executive duty member may abandon play and shall have the right to curtail the number of rounds/ends to be played to achieve a result. Umpires shall not be responsible to call off players during lightning/thunderstorm activity and shall refer any appeal by the players to the CEO.
Heat and Discomfort
The EO should be guided by applying suspension of play once the discomfort index exceeds 36 degrees in Temperature and 39 % in Humidity.
Lightning
The EO shall assess the proximity of the lightning strikes either by using a lightning meter or by counting off the seconds between the observed strike and hearing the thunder (3 seconds per kilometer. Strikes at 16 kilometers (i.e. 48 seconds) should initiate a temporary evacuation of the green.
Where games are played at a Country Club the greens must be evacuated when the siren is sounded.
In the event of adverse weather conditions or any other reason causes a temporary disruption in play during a playing session, the Club Tournament Official shall decide when play should be stopped and resume.
Lightning strike danger is to be assessed electronically.
SMOKING / ALCOHOL / CELL PHONES
Smoking (including artificial devises or e-cigarettes such as Twisp), Alcohol, Cell Phones and Handheld TV devices will not be permitted within 2 metres of the green while play is in progress. This ruling applies to all events under the control of Bowls South Africa.
The penalty for transgressing is as follows:
- Upon the first offence the Technical Official will warn the player via the Skip (or the player in singles) and record the player’s name and Club.
- Upon any subsequent offence by the same player, the Technical Official shall report the player to the Controlling Body, who shall take suitable action, which may include suspending the player from playing in the next round. The attitude of the player and the circumstances will contribute to any decision taken by the Controlling Body. The player has the right of appeal to the Jury of Appeal.
- If the offence is committed in the last round, the penalty will be carried forward to the relevant tournament for the following year.
- Should a player commit a third offence, he/she will be banned from taking part in the Tournament and be suspended from playing in any other Bowls SA Tournaments for one year.
RADIOS
The use of “two-way” radios during play is prohibited.
DRUG TESTING
Managers, Coaches and Players are to be aware of their responsibilities in regard to the anti-doping program and rules of the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport.
GENERAL
If anything should arise that is not specifically covered in these Conditions of Play, then the Laws of the Sport of Bowls – Crystal Mark 4th Edition will apply.
CoP Revised – 27 March 2023