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The incident sparked calls from some fans to hand the England man a lifetime ban
South Africa booked their place in the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship final with a 53-37 win over England in Tbilisi.
However, the match was largely overshadowed by a shocking incident that saw England flanker Seb Kelly shown a permanent red card.
Kelly was given his marching orders on 32 minutes for head-butting full-back Luan Giliomee during their World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final.
Replays showed Kelly appearing to headbutt Giliomee while the pair were on the floor shortly after a tackle, and he was duly given his marching orders for his role in the incident.
You can watch the incident in the clip below.
There was predictably plenty of reaction on social media, with one onlooker stating that Kelly should “never be seen on a rugby field again”.
Others were similarly strong in their condemnation, with one fan labelling it “thuggish”.
“Idiotic” was another assessment.
Others bemoaned that the incident ultimately proved costly for England, in what was until that point a tightly-contested semi-final.
England were winning 17-7 at the time, courtesy of tries from Ollie Streeter and Hugh Shields, the latter of whom also kicked over a penalty, with South Africa responding with a converted score from Yaqeen Ahmed.
However, South Africa soon took advantage of their extra man, with Khuthadzo Rasivhaga going over two minutes after Kelly’s red card.
England did add a penalty on the stroke of half-time to ensure they went in with a 20-12 lead at the break, but South Africa’s numerical advantage would eventually tell in the second half.
Rasivhaga would run in two more tries to complete a hat-trick, while Kebotile Maake added a brace.
Luke Cannon then went over just before the hour, after Johnny Weimann’s try had given England hope.
The numbers would be evened up on 64 minutes after Giliomee, who had been on the end of Kelly’s act of foul play, was himself shown a 20-minute red card for a careless aerial challenge on George Pearson.
England would add another two tries, with Shields getting his second of the day after Tate Williams had already gone over.
However, South Africa held on to claim a place in the final, and are now a step closer to retaining their title.
