Ex-Bok calls out headbutt ‘double standards’

Keith Andrews has weighed in on the growing fallout from Ellis Genge’s controversial headbutt during England’s Six Nations opener.

The former Springbok prop called out what he believes are clear “double standards” in the way incidents are judged at Test level.

The flashpoint came in the 13th minute of England’s clash against Wales at Twickenham. After a penalty was awarded to England, Genge and Welsh flanker Alex Mann squared up, with Genge appearing to bump heads with his opponent.

🌹 This was horribly stupid from Genge.

Likely not enough for a citing, but could have been worse in game.pic.twitter.com/dJ8Qwqo187

— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) February 7, 2026

Referee Pierre Brousset was alerted to the incident by TMO Tual Trainini, but after a brief review, ruled that it warranted no more than a penalty against the England prop. The decision was then reversed, with Genge escaping any further sanction.

The outcome has sparked widespread frustration, particularly among Springbok supporters, given the contrasting treatment of Bok No 8 Jasper Wiese last year. Wiese was red-carded for a headbutt on Italy prop Danilo Fischetti during the July internationals and went on to receive a four-Test ban.

Plainly stupid from Jasper Wiese. #RSAvITA pic.twitter.com/PPJmeqUO90

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) July 12, 2025

Reacting to footage of both incidents, Andrews made his stance clear on social media.

“Certainly double standards!!” he wrote.

That sentiment was echoed by many online, with several observers suggesting that Genge’s nationality played a role in the outcome.

“The colour of your jersey in rugby matters,” one fan wrote, while another added: “Yeah the South African filter definitely exists.”

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Journalists also weighed in. Irish Independent writer Will Slattery described the call as generous, posting: “Ellis Genge only guilty of a ‘head push’, no card. A generous interpretation.”

He added: “A non-French ref might have given a red here. The threshold in the Top 14 clearly a lot higher. Pretty mad that it wasn’t even looked at on the big screen.”

Former England flyhalf Stuart Barnes responded to that post by asking: “Can we see the Genge ‘incident’ in real time, someone? thanks” – seemingly questioning whether the replay exaggerated the severity.