South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.
Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.
However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
