England U20s forward Seb Kelly has been slammed for his headbutt on Junior Springboks star Luan Gilomee during the semi-final of the World Rugby Junior World Championship.<\/p>\n
Kelly was shown a permanent red card for his actions in the 32nd minute of the encounter when his side held a 17-7 advantage over the defending champions, with England ultimately going on to lose the last-four showdown 53-37.<\/p>\n
Within minutes of the send-off, fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed sent a brilliant cross-field kick to the left corner where winger Khuthadzo Rasivhaga was on hand to touch down unopposed as South Africa<\/a> closed the gap before the break.<\/p>\n Rasivhaga doubled his tally in the second half after a stunning break from Giliomee, and the full-back turned provider again with another deft offload to send flanker Kebotile Maake thundering over in the left corner.<\/p>\n Maake scored his second, and Rasivhaga completed his hat-trick with Luke Cannon also scoring for the Junior Springboks, ensuring efforts from Jonny Weimann, Tate Williams and Shields were mere consolation, the last two coming after Giliomee had been red-carded for a contact in the air.<\/p>\n Seb Kelly slammed for costly headbutt<\/p>\n Ultimately, Kelly\u2019s actions proved costly in the defeat and the youngster was berated on social media for his headbutt on Giliomee.<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely disgusting dog shot by Seb Kelly on Giliomee! Send the filth!\u201d One fan remarked on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.<\/p>\n @SportsPunter675 added: \u201cSeb Kelly single-handedly ruining England<\/a> U20s chance of winning the championship, absolutely selfish and disgusting behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n South African journalist Brenden Nel also weighed in, writing: \u201cAbsolute stupidity by Seb Kelly for England. Rightly red carded for head butt on Luan Gillomee on the floor. Why do rugby players think they can get away with these things?\u201d<\/p>\n An England fan remarked: \u201cUtterly moronic from flanker Seb Kelly there. England winning and he puts the cheapest of shots in on the SA full back and immediately England concedes a try after his red card.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeb Kelly has possibly costed England in this semi final. Being fired up is perfectly fine but you have to channel all that energy in the right direction. Stupid head butt that,\u201d Philasande Sixaba wrote.<\/p>\n Springboks: Rassie Erasmus backing \u2018nice and calm\u2019 rookie to shine against Wales<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udfe5 Thuggish act from Seb Kelly.<\/p>\n Rightly shown a permanent red card. So stupid in a semi-final too. pic.twitter.com\/XaMEWf2dLV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) July 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Comedian Rory Petzer argued that had a South African committed that act, they would never live it down.<\/p>\n \u201cIf that was a South African player, we\u2019d never ever hear the end of that headbutt and it would \u2018be typical\u2019. The oke was lying on his back! Embarrassing. Seb Kelly possibly cost his team the final.\u201d<\/p>\n Former Sunday Times writer Stephen Jones also weighed in on the act and did not hold back on Kelly or the performance from England.<\/p>\n \u201cSouth Africa inflict a savaging on England in the JWC<\/a> semi in Georgia,\u201d he began.<\/p>\n \u201cEngland were so brave in adversity after the sending -off of Seb Kelly for a disgraceful head-butt but the final score of 53-37 does no justice to the Baby Boks\u2019 vast superiority and their sheer talent behind the scrum. It is France v SA in the final\u201d<\/p>\n