South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.
Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
