Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.
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 Northampton.
Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
