🔗 Share this article Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head. After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage. The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match. Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states: "A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals." The panel concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record. 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 autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head. After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage. The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match. Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states: "A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals." The panel concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record. 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 autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.