South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will miss for South Africa's fall fixtures.
Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
This event happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
