🔗 Share this article South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact The player is ruled out for South Africa's fall fixtures. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht. The altercation happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head. After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage. Wessels stayed 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 Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states: "A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament. The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
The player is ruled out for South Africa's fall fixtures. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht. The altercation happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head. After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage. Wessels stayed 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 withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states: "A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament. The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.