Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half 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 found to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"A player must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
