South African international Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been banned for nine matches after he was found guilty of “grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals” of an opponent
An international rugby star has been banned for nine matches after being found guilty of “grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals” of an opponent.
South African front-row Jan-Hendrik Wessels has won ten caps for the Springboks but the ban will rule him out of the upcoming Autumn internationals, which see the world champions face the likes of Ireland, Wales and France.
Wessels originally dodged any sanction during the Bulls’ 28-27 victory over Connacht with referee Mike Adamson unable to act after television replays proved inconclusive. Connacht’s Josh Murphy was instead shown a 20-minute red card by Adamson for retaliating and hitting the South African in the head. Since Wessels’ ban became public the flanker’s red card was rescinded.
Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states: “A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.”
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The panel were satisfied that the incident met the red card threshold and was deserving a 12-week suspension – which is the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence. Wessels’ suspension was reduced by three weeks because of the player’s “good conduct prior to and at the hearing and good record”.
The incident occurred during a ruck when players had piled in with the Bulls looking to clear their lines. Murphy let rip at his opponents and then pleaded with the ref to assess the video footage further with television match official Hollie Davidson after being sent off.
“He grabbed me here,” Murphy said, pointing to his groin. “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…”
Wessels does have the right to appeal. If successful he could play for South Africa during their upcoming fixtures which begin on November 1 against Japan at Wembley.
There has been some contention over the decision to ban Wessels given the video footage does not clearly back up Murphy’s allegation. The referee made reference to him not having Hawkeye use when he watched the replays at the time. Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus has made a cryptic comment on social media without specifically addressing the ban.
After the ban was announced he wrote: “It just got tougher!! We now have to beat them on the field, and in the boardrooms. Hamba man. Tsek. Loop Kak.”
