🔗 Share this article South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' fall fixtures. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht. This event occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area. After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof. Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game. While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states: "A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting 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 infringement. However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints. The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' fall fixtures. Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht. This event occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area. After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof. Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game. While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states: "A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting 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 infringement. However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints. The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.