🔗 Share this article South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head. Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation. Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head. Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation. Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.