🔗 Share this article South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals. South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The altercation took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head. Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states: "Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior 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 ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals. South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The altercation took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head. Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states: "Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior 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 ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.