DAY 1
PRELIMINARY ROUNDS
The teams will be pooled together in 4 pools of 4 teams each who will play each other on a league basis.
Play on the first day of the tournament will consist of matches between teams in the same pool on a round robin basis. No extra time will be played in pool matches. Points will be awarded for these matches on the following basis:
Win 3 points
Draw 2 points
Lose 1 point
No Show 0 points

DETERMINING POOL TABLE STANDINGS
(i) Position in the competition table shall be determined by competition points as set out in the above.
(ii) In the event of two or more teams being equal on competition points for any position in the pool, such position on the competition table will be determined on the basis of the Team scoring most tries in all pool matches for the round.
(iii) In the event (ii) above not providing a decision, the position shall be determined on the margin of points scored for and against in all pool matches for that round, the team with the highest margin points scored for and against being considered the leading team in the respective positions.
(iv) In the event (iii) above not providing a decision, the position in the pool will be determined on the basis of the result between the teams, in their pool game.
(v) In the event of (iv) above not providing a decision, the position in the pool will be determined on the basis of a coin toss.

DAY2
(A) CASTLE TROPHY
1 Teams finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the African Circuit groups will proceed to the Castle Trophy. Teams finishing top of the Invitaional groups will proceed to the Castle Trophy. Positions will be determined as above.
(i) ln the event of a tie at the knockout stage the teams will change ends and play five minutes of sudden death extra time.
(ii) If teams are still tied them the team that scored first wins.
(iii) If it is a Nil-nil draw then toss of a coin.

(B) CASTLE PLATE
Teams finishing 4th in the African Circuit groups and 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the Invitational groups will play in the Castle Bowl.
(i) ln the event of a tie at the knockout stage the teams will change ends and play five minutes of sudden death extra time.
(ii) If teams are still tied them the team that scored first wins.
(iii) If it is a Nil-nil draw then toss of a coin.

FORMAT AND RULES OF THE TOURNAMENT
1 All matches will be played according to the Laws of the game.
2 The duration of all matches will be 7minutes each way with teams changing round with a one minute interval except for the finals, which will be 10 minutes each way with a 2-minute interval.
3 Each squad will consist of 10 Players, one Coach and one Manager whose names must be given to the Tournament Committee before the Tournament Commences.
4 Team Managers will submit the names of the Seven Players who will take the field and the three reserves at least 20 minutes prior to the Kick Off of their Game.
5 If a player is injured such that he is unable to take any further part in the tournament, he may be replaced by a player from any team that has been eliminated from the tournament, provided that the borrowed players do not then play for any other team. These substitute players must be registered with the tournament committee.
6 A player will receive a Yellow Card as a caution, (sin-bin Two minutes). A player who receives a Second Yellow Card during the tournament will automatically miss the next game. A player who receives a Second Yellow Card, in the same Game, will be sent off the field of play and will not play again in the tournament unless the Disciplinary Committee decide otherwise.
7 A player sent off for the breach of the Laws, can appeal to the Disciplinary Committee who will rule as to whether the player can continue to play in the tournament. Such appeal must be communicated to the Disciplinary Committee 10 minutes after the end of the game in which the incident took place.
8 For a Red Card incident, a player will be sent off from the field of play and will take no further part in the Tournament.
9 Playing Jerseys must have numbers and the number worn by a player throughout the tournament must be that number shown against his name on the team list.
10 Any further rules or the further determination of the above Rules will be made at the discretion of the organisers of the tournament and such determination shall be final.

RULES
Any amendments or clarification’s to the “Rules of the tournament” as outlined in this or any other document, which may arise prior to the start of the Tournament will be communicated in writing to each term.

MATCH ABANDONMENT
In the event of a match having to be abandoned for any reason whatsoever, the following procedure shall apply.
(i) When a match has been abandoned either at half-time or at any time in the second half, the result shall stand;
(ii) Where a match has been abandoned during the first half, the result shall be declared a draw.