🔗 Share this article Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals. South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province. The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area. After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof. Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game. Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement. Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals. South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province. The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area. After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof. Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game. Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement. Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.