🔗 Share this article Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact The player will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area. After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who found no definitive proof. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares: "Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior 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 rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland. He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer. The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
The player will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area. After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who found no definitive proof. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares: "Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior 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 rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland. He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer. The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.