Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.
Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation.
However, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
