Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
