🔗 Share this article South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals. Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. This event took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area. After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence. Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game. While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares: "A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals. Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. This event took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area. After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence. Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game. While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares: "A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.