🔗 Share this article South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab The player will miss for South Africa's fall fixtures. South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head. After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage. Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas." The panel determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement. However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team. He 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 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
The player will miss for South Africa's fall fixtures. South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head. After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage. Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas." The panel determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement. However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team. He 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 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.