Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The altercation occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.
Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
The panel determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
