🔗 Share this article Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht. The altercation occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head. After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match. While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation. However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record. The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team. He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht. The altercation occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head. After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match. While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation. However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record. The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team. He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.