BPC , Scarf et all - Actually in relation to the point of offside etc , it doesnt matter whether its a ruck or a maul, IF RMC had played the ball at that point it became either he would have and should have been PK'd. (We all know this anyway)
My opinion (and I think Damo's) is that while RMC was first playing at the ball it was still a tackle and he is on his feet, Bekker joins 1 second later - its now a maul or ruck - RMC still on his feet and going at the ball, at this point he is obliged to release - but 1 second later he is cleaned out anyway and does not play at the ball again. IMHO any Ref looking at this is not going to PK RMC because in the time it takes for the ref to decide whether he's illegal the next action has happened and that pk decision is now passed anyway. (hope that makes sense). And let's be pragmatic here - Scarfman calls RMC's approach cynical, but I firmly believe its is exactly the same approach as G-Smith, Waugh, Pocock et all, In fact the same can be said for every #9 who cynically feeds the scrum crooked, or every prop who cynically binds on teh arm rather than the long bind required in law, or every defensive player who never fully is behind the last mans foot. Its just a cynical game.