🔗 Share this article Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab The player is ruled out for South Africa's fall fixtures. Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who found no definitive proof. The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match. While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas." The panel were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation. However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
The player is ruled out for South Africa's fall fixtures. Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who found no definitive proof. The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match. While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas." The panel were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation. However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.