Justice for Jasper? Ellis Genge headbutt sparks outrage in Six Nations

Don’t be surprised if the Springboks pitch up with armbands reading “Justice for Jasper” when they face England in the opening Test of the Nations Championship in July following the headbutt controversy that English prop Ellis Genge survived this past weekend.

The Englishman came off scot-free with no citing after making head contact with a Welsh player in their Six Nations opener. The incident was almost identical to that of Jasper Wiese against Italy last year.

But of course, the green jersey of Wiese seemed to have brought a far harsher punishment, while Genge escaped with only a penalty.

That incident, along with the results from the opening weekend of the Six Nations, dominates the conversation among the panelists in this week’s episode of The Last Word on Rugby.

There is a strong feeling that Genge should have had the law book thrown at him for the head butt and that he got off far too lightly.

Another major talking point is the drubbing Ireland received at the hands of France — yet another heavy defeat against a top rugby nation. The former world No. 1 side appears to be in decline, and it is baffling that pundits are pointing fingers at former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber instead of questioning Ireland’s failure to refresh an ageing squad at the right time.

It will be fascinating to see how the rest of the Six Nations unfolds and what the Springboks take from it — particularly the performances of Scotland and Wales, whom they are set to face in July.

There will be another week of no United Rugby Championship matches, but in a couple of weeks the Lions and Sharks will get the action underway when the tournament restarts. There will be plenty up for grabs when the local derbies restart as the two sides, alongside the Bulls and Stormers, fight for top honours in the SA Shield of the tournament.

It’s another action-packed episode filled with analysis and plenty of controversy.