🔗 Share this article Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab The player is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. The altercation took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head. Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage. Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match. While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas." The panel were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement. However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland. He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
The player is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. The altercation took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head. Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage. Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match. While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas." The panel were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement. However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland. He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.