🔗 Share this article South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab The player will miss for the Springboks' fall fixtures. South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head. Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages 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 violated the code of conduct, which states: "Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation. However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
The player will miss for the Springboks' fall fixtures. South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head. Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages 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 violated the code of conduct, which states: "Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation. However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.