đź”— Share this article Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures. South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht. The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head. Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. Wessels remained 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 Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament. The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures. South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht. The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head. Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. Wessels remained 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 withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares: "A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints. Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament. The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.