🔗 Share this article Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht. The altercation happened in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head. Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals." The panel concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht. The altercation happened in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head. Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals." The panel concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.