🔗 Share this article South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. The incident took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage. The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match. While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states: "A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation. Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. The incident took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage. The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match. While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states: "A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation. Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.