2 hours ago
Latest Updates
Featured Posts
Get in Touch
Location:
123 Innovation Street
Tech District, CA 94105
123 Innovation Street
Tech District, CA 94105
Email:
hello@brand.com
hello@brand.com
Phone:
+1 (234) 567-890
+1 (234) 567-890
Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."
The panel concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
Sponsored News
News
Joseph Parker & Wardley Prepared for Winner-Takes-All Rumble with Chance at Oleksandr Usyk on the Line
Emily Johnson
11 Jun 2026
News
Trump Unveils Blueprints for a ‘Golden Fleet’ Warships Bearing His Name Himself
Emily Johnson
11 Jun 2026
News
News
News
News
US House Preparing for Critical Decision on Ending Historic Government Shutdown
Emily Johnson
10 Jun 2026