🔗 Share this article Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact The player will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. This event happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head. After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof. The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement. Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team. He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. This event happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head. After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof. The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement. Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team. He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.