This paper reviews studies on the modelling of the Mannesmann effect, which leads to the formation of an axial crack in parts formed by cross and skew rolling. This effect also occurs in the rotational compression (RC) test of a cylindrical specimen, which is used to determine the critical damage value. RC tests were carried out under laboratory conditions at the Lublin University of Technology on C45 steel specimens formed at 950°C. Based on the tests, the crack propagation was presented as a function of the progress of rotational compression, measured by the length of the deformation path. The RC tests were numerically modelled in Forge® using four ductile fracture criteria. The effectiveness of the Mannesmann effect modelling was evaluated by comparing the numerically predicted cracks with the experimentally determined ones. In addition, the influence of an occurring axial crack on the stress state in the forming specimen was analysed.