🔗 Share this article Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's fall fixtures. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. This event occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area. After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof. The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match. Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states: "Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence. Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland. Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton. The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's fall fixtures. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. This event occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area. After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof. The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match. Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states: "Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence. Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland. Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton. The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.