🔗 Share this article South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. This event occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head. After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was examined by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage. The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states: "A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement. However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. This event occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head. After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was examined by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage. The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game. Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states: "A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement. However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.