Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The altercation happened in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head.
After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, 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 have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
