🔗 Share this article South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab The player will miss for the Springboks' fall fixtures. South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. The incident took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head area. Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage. Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game. While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence. However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
The player will miss for the Springboks' fall fixtures. South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. The incident took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head area. Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage. Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game. While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence. However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.