🔗 Share this article Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab Wessels will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals. South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area. After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies: "A player should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence. However, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record. The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
Wessels will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals. South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht. The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area. After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies: "A player should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence. However, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record. The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.