🔗 Share this article Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact The player will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals. Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht. This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head. After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage. Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match. While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement. However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record. The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals. Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht. This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head. After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage. Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match. While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares: "Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas." Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement. However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record. The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton. Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.