🔗 Share this article Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab The player will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area. After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the contact was examined by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states: "A player must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation. However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record. Wessels 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, France, Italy and Ireland. He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
The player will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area. After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the contact was examined by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof. The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states: "A player must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation. However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record. Wessels 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, France, Italy and Ireland. He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.