🔗 Share this article Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches. South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. The incident happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head. Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which states: "A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior 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 as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches. South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. The incident happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head. Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which states: "A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior 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 as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.