🔗 Share this article South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. The incident took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head. After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game. While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares: "A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals." The panel concluded that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland. He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. The incident took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head. After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game. While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares: "A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals." The panel concluded that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence. Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland. He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints. Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer. Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.