🔗 Share this article South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head. After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof. Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match. Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence. However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head. After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof. Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match. Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence. However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.