🔗 Share this article South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact The player will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals. South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match. While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states: "A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence. Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
The player will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals. South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht. The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head. Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage. Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match. While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states: "A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence. Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record. Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer. Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.