🔗 Share this article Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area. Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence. Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game. While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas." The panel concluded that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area. Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence. Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game. While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas." The panel concluded that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.