Rugby star given huge nine-week ban after grabbing opponent in private parts

The flashpoint occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls’ narrow 28–27 victory, when Wessels was seen making contact with Murphy’s lower body during a ruck.

Murphy reacted angrily, striking Wessels twice on the head, and was shown a red card that later proved decisive in the game’s balance.

Following a review, the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Wessels had breached Law 9.27 of World Rugby’s code, which prohibits actions “against the spirit of good sportsmanship, including grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.”

Murphy’s dismissal was subsequently overturned after the disciplinary panel accepted his explanation and rescinded the card, ruling that his retaliation, though inappropriate, had been provoked.

Wessels, meanwhile, was sanctioned for his conduct and will now serve a nine-week ban, ruling him out of South Africa’s Autumn Internationals against Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales.

A statement from the URC’s independent disciplinary panel noted that the offence carried a minimum sanction of 12 weeks, reduced to nine in recognition of Wessels’s previously clean record and good behaviour during the hearing.

The player remains entitled to appeal the decision, though that is considered his only remaining path to rejoining the national squad before the end of the year.

Murphy was visibly frustrated at the time of the incident and pleaded with referee Mike Adamson to consult the television match official, Hollie Davidson.

“He grabbed me here,” Murphy was heard saying, gesturing towards his lower body.

“Sir, look at it back — he grabbed me here, I wouldn’t have done it otherwise.”

Adamson responded: “I understand what you’ve said, I will check that, but listen, what you did is unacceptable.” Match footage, however, proved inconclusive on the day, prompting the later disciplinary review.

The ruling represents a blow for South Africa’s head coach Rassie Erasmus, who had included Wessels in his 36-man squad ahead of the November internationals.

The Springboks are already contending with another suspension, after winger Makazole Mapimpi received a five-week ban earlier this month for a dangerous tackle on Ulster’s Michael Lowry during the Sharks’ defeat in Belfast.

Reacting on social media as the decision became public, Erasmus wrote cryptically on X: “It just got tougher!! We now have to beat them on the field, and in the boardrooms. Hamba man. Tsek. Loop Kak.” Though he did not mention Wessels by name, the post was widely interpreted as a response to the latest disciplinary setback for his squad.

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