🔗 Share this article Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' fall fixtures. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht. The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area. After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game. While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals." The panel were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation. However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton. Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' fall fixtures. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht. The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area. After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game. While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals." The panel were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation. However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton. Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.