🔗 Share this article Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab The player will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals. Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht. This event happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area. Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match. While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares: "A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals." The panel determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement. However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals. Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht. This event happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area. Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match. While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares: "A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals." The panel determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement. However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.