Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will miss for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
