🔗 Share this article South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab The player will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. The altercation took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area. Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof. The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match. Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares: "A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement. However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
The player will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. The altercation took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area. Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof. The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match. Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares: "A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement. However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.