Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.
After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules 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 good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
