WATCH: ENGLAND U20S PLAYER SENT OFF FOR VICIOUS BUTT IN SOUTH AFRICA DEFEAT
Flanker Seb Kelly was shown a straight red card for a vicious butt in England’s 53-37 defeat by South Africa in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.
England had built a commanding 17-7 lead at the half-hour mark of this semi-final when Kelly legally tackled Luan Giliomee but then proceeded to butt the prone full-back on the floor. Referee Kevin Bralley showed Kelly, the younger brother of former Leicester centre Dan, a straight red card which meant England had to play 50 minutes of the contest in Tbilisi with 14 men.
Much like the senior side, that lack of discipline proved costly. England had appeared in control of the contest going into half-time at 20-12 ahead, but South Africa ran riot in the second half, scoring four tries in 12 minutes. Giliomee was later shown a red card, albeit for 20 minutes, for taking out opposite number George Pearson in the air, in which the Leicester full-back came dangerously close to landing on his neck.
It would also appear the Springbok dominance at senior level may not be coming to an end anytime soon, with a new golden generation coming through. The Baby Boks were already defending champions and this latest batch are supposed to be stronger still, even though they are missing several players who had been brought into Rassie Erasmus’s wider training squad.
Erasmus already has potentially the world’s greatest fly-half in Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at his disposal, but in Yaqeen Ahmed they may have another triple-threat No 10 who can run, pass and kick monster penalties. Ahmed finished with 23 points, including an outstanding individual try and a penalty from inside his own half.
Winger Khuti Rasivhaga scored a brilliant hat-trick of tries while blindside flanker Kebotile Maake showcased his power to cross twice. Flanker Luke Cannon scored South Africa’s other try.
It could have been so different for Andy Titterrell’s side who had caught South Africa cold with a red-hot start with prop Ollie Streeter finishing early on. Ahmed replied for South Africa, but fly-half Hugh Shields kicked a penalty before crossing from close range.
That was the point at which Kelly, who plays club rugby for Sale, suffered a rush of blood to the head, with Ahmed immediately capitalising with a cross-field kick for Rasivhaga to score.
Tate Williams, the Harlequins flanker, scored midway through the second half and further impressed on the back foot, despite apparently playing with a leg injury. Shields was also excellent, even opposite Ahmed, scoring two tries as part of a 22-point haul, and Northampton half-back partner Jonny Weimann darted over later on.
South Africa will now play France in the final on Friday, while England face New Zealand in a third-place play-off.
2026-07-13T19:30:44Z
