🔗 Share this article South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. This event happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area. After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence. The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game. While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which states: "A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals." The panel concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement. Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. This event happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area. After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence. The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game. While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which states: "A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals." The panel concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement. Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.