🔗 Share this article South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area. Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas." The panel concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation. However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland. He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area. Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas." The panel concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation. However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland. He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.