đŸ”— Share this article Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact The player will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage. The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "A player must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an offence. However, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage. The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match. Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "A player must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an offence. However, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.