🔗 Share this article South African Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures. South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. The incident occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head. After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence. Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states: "Any athlete must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team. He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures. South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province. The incident occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head. After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence. Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states: "Any athlete must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals." Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team. He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.