South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
