Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
This event took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.
After Murphy complained to the match official, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
