South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.
Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:
"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
