🔗 Share this article Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals. Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. This event happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area. Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof. The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement. However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton. The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals. Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province. This event happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area. Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof. The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: "A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals." Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement. However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton. The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.