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South African rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been banned nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy’s genitals in Bulls United’s Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls’ 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht striker Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.
After Murphy complained about Wessels to referee Mike Adamson, the incident was verified by Television Match Official (TMO) Holly Davidson, who found no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half.
While URC confirmed that Murphy’s 20-minute red card had been overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached Law 9.27, which states: “A player shall not do anything inconsistent with the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or applying pressure to the genitals.”
The panel was satisfied that the incident met the threshold for a red card and warranted a 12-week ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
However, Wessels’ ban was reduced to three weeks due to the player’s “good behavior before and during the hearing and good record”.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but for now, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks’ autumn tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls’ URC matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks and the Investec Champions Cup matches with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of the Rugby Championship winning side over the summer.
Meanwhile, Murphy is available to face Munster in the county derby on Saturday after being cleared.
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