South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The altercation occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
