🔗 Share this article South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province. This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head. Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares: "A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation. However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province. This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head. Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares: "A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation. However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.