SOUTH AFRICA rugby star Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been slapped with a NINE-WEEK ban after grabbing an opponent’s genitals.
The Springboks international played for the Bulls against Connacht in Galway last week.
His side won 28-27 in the United Rugby Championship thanks to tries from Paul de Wet and Willie Le Roux
But in the 18th minute of the game, Wessels was accused of grabbing Josh Murphy’s genitals in a tense moment.
Murphy reacted angrily by striking Wessels in the head and was given a red card for his behaviour.
Murphy had complained about Wessels to referee Mike Adamson but no action was taken, despite being checked by Televised Match Official (TMO) Hollie Davidson.
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Wessels ended up staying on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half.
But after a review by a URC panel Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27 of World Rugby’s code.
It states: “A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.”
Wessels was initially facing a 12-week ban, but this was reduced to nine after the URC recognised his “good conduct prior to and at the hearing and good record”.
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Meanwhile, Murphy’s red card has been rescinded and he will not face any ban.
Murphy had furiously protested the decision to send him off during the game after pleading with the referee to check the video footage.
He said: “He grabbed me here,” before pointing to the area.
“Sir, look at it back, he grabbed me here, I wouldn’t have done it otherwise.
Adamson replied: “I understand what you’ve said, I will check that, but listen, what you did is unacceptable.”
Wessel – who has ten caps for his country – will now miss South Africa’s Autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.
He was named in Rassie Erasmus‘ squad for the upcoming internationals – but now the Springboks are facing another blow after losing Makazole Mapimpi to a five week suspension.
Erasmus took to X this week, without directly referencing Wessel, writing: “It just got tougher !! We now have to beat them on the field. and in the boardrooms. Hamba man. Tsek. Loop Kak.”
