🔗 Share this article Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab The player is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence. The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game. Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence. However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches. Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence. The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game. Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence. However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record. Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.