🔗 Share this article South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact The player will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals. South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht. The incident happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head. After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game. Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals." The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an offence. However, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record. The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton. Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion 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 will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals. South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht. The incident happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head. After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game. Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals." The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an offence. However, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record. The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton. Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion 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.