Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
