🔗 Share this article Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area. After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game. While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton. Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area. After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game. While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton. Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.