🔗 Share this article Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals. Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. The altercation occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area. Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was examined by the television match official, who found no definitive proof. Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match. While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares: "A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals." The panel determined that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation. However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland. He will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals. Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. The altercation occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area. Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was examined by the television match official, who found no definitive proof. Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match. While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares: "A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals." The panel determined that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation. However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland. He will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.