🔗 Share this article South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head. After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match. While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares: "A player should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas." The panel concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation. However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals. South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province. The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head. After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence. Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match. While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares: "A player should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas." The panel concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation. However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history. The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland. Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton. The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament. The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.