South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The incident occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
The panel were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
