🔗 Share this article South African Player Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht. The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area. Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof. Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game. Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht. The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area. Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof. Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game. Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.