South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was checked by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned 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 contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
