Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
This event happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
