🔗 Share this article Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals. South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence. Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game. Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals." The panel concluded that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team. He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints. The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals. South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence. Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game. Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals." The panel concluded that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team. He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints. The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.