🔗 Share this article Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area. Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match. Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas." The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland. He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area. Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match. Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: "Any athlete must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas." The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement. Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland. He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.