🔗 Share this article Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals. Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht. This event took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head. Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas." The panel were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record. The forward 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 autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland. He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer. The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals. Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht. This event took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head. Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas." The panel were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record. The forward 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 autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland. He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer. The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.