🔗 Share this article South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area. After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence. The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match. While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton. The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area. After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence. The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match. While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton. The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.