🔗 Share this article South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The incident took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head. Following Murphy complained to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage. Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match. Although the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states: "A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The incident took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head. Following Murphy complained to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage. Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match. Although the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states: "A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.