🔗 Share this article Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches. South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The altercation took place in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head. After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage. Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match. While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement. Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches. South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The altercation took place in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head. After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage. Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match. While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement. Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.