🔗 Share this article Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares: "Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation. However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer. The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares: "Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation. However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer. The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.