🔗 Share this article South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact The player is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches. South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. The altercation happened in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area. After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game. Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states: "Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals." The panel were satisfied that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement. However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
The player is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches. South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. The altercation happened in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area. After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game. Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states: "Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals." The panel were satisfied that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement. However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.