Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
